Social Capital, Migration and Development in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca, Mexico: Non-Migrants and Communities of Origin Matter

This article investigates the importance of place-of-origin communities to an understanding of the impact of migrant remittances on local development, employing the concept of social capital. Two aspects of social capital (each present prior to migration) are shown to be of significance-family relationships and community organisation. Drawing on recent research in two peasant communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, social capital is used to examine the relevance of non-migrants in shaping the outcomes of migration in communities of origin. Evaluation of migrant remittances and home-town associations demonstrates the developmental significance of non-migrants and communities of origin.