Foreign remittances, deprivation and patriotism

Abstract

Substantial research evidence have shown the benefits of foreign remittances and patriotism to national growth and human welfare. Also, many studies have established the importance of lower extent of deprivation on economic growth and better well-being. However, little or no research has examined the impact of foreign remittances on subjective personal relative deprivation and patriotism, and impact of deprivation on patriotism in a single study. This study, therefore examined the relationship between foreign remittances, personal relative deprivation and patriotism. Results generated through analysis of cross sectional data demonstrated that greater subjective feelings of personal relative deprivation were associated with higher foreign remittances from family members, friends and neighbours. Similarly, lower patriotic behaviours were found to associate with higher subjective feelings of personal relative deprivation. The results provide further evidence for theories on relative deprivation-patriotism nexus and calls for attention on public policy to reduce economic inequality through provision of gainful employment, standardised salary/wage structure and make regular review of such salary/wages according to the prevailing economic condition.