The impact of violence on the dynamics of migration: Evidence from the Mexican Revolution

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2025
Volume: 176
Issue: C

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Forced displacement from conflict has risen sharply in recent decades, yet little is known about how violence impacts migration dynamics in the short run or over a longer horizon. Using novel high-frequency data during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917), one of history’s deadliest conflicts, we find that localized violence caused a sharp but temporary 60 percent spike in migration to the US, lasting only seven months before reverting to pre-conflict levels. We do not find evidence of increased migration after the Revolution, suggesting that refugee networks did not spur significant chain migration, even during an era of relatively open borders.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:176:y:2025:i:c:s0304387825000665
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25