Citizenship Laws and International Migration in Historical Perspective

Graziella Bertocchi () and Chiara Strozzi

No 4737, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: We investigate the origin, impact and evolution of citizenship laws. Citizenship laws originate from the common and civil law traditions, which apply jus soli and jus sanguinis, respectively. We compile a dataset across countries of the world starting from the 19th century. The impact of the original, exogenously-given laws on international migration proves insignificant for the early, mass migration waves, which confirm to be driven primarily by economic incentives. Postwar convergence of citizenship laws is determined by legal tradition and international migration, but also by border stability, the establishment of democracy, the welfare burden, cultural factors and colonial history.

Keywords: Citizenship laws; International migration; Legal origins; Democracy; Borders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 K40 N30 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-law
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Citizenship Laws and International Migration in Historical Perspective (2005)
Working Paper: Citizenship laws and international migration in historical perspective (2004)
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