Journal of International Migration and Integration
2019

Why Do People Flee? Revisiting Forced Migration in Post-Saddam Baghdad (Article) (Open Access)

Ozaltin D.* , Shakir F. , Loizides N.
  • a School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
  • b United Learning, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
  • c School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom

Abstract

When faced with political violence, why do some people choose to leave their homes while others stay? This article looks for motivations, particularly socioeconomic factors, behind decisions to stay or go. Drawing on new survey data from post-Saddam Baghdad, it confirms the general axiom that violent conflicts cause people to flee. However, the results are inconclusive in terms of the effect of socioeconomic circumstances as a major push or pull factor. Patriotism does not have an impact on migration intentions, and optimism about Iraq’s future does not suffice as a pull factor. Interestingly, people who intend to flee Iraq are better educated, contrary to the general far right media portrayal of refugees. © 2019, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Internally displaced Forced displacement Refugees Forced migration intentions

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85064257996&doi=10.1007%2fs12134-019-00674-z&partnerID=40&md5=9ba27bac0342001322fe62cefc399352
DOI: 10.1007/s12134-019-00674-z
ISSN: 14883473
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English