Transnational Peasants

Transnational Peasants significantly extends our base for theoretical and empirical generalization on international migration. It is a brilliant study that I recommend to all students of international migration. -- Doug Massey, President of the American Sociological Association, 2000-2001 This beautifully written book tells the story of the latest migration from poor countries of the south to rich countries of the north, and does so in a fascinating and illuminating way. Transnational Peasants is truly a must read. -- Roger Waldinger, UCLA

Transnational Peasants provides an intriguing historical and sociological exploration of a contemporary migration mystery.Why do two groups from the same country pursue radically different economic strategies of transnational mobility? David Kyle examines the lives of people from four rural communities in two regions of the Andean highlands of Ecuador. Migrants from the southern province of Azuay shuttle back and forth to New York City, mostly as undocumented laborers. In contrast, an indigenous group of Quichua-speakers from the northern canton of Otavalo travel the world as handicraft merchants and musicians playing Andean music. In one village, Kyle found that Otavalans were migrating to 23 different countries and returning within a year. Transnational Peasants provides an intriguing historical and sociological exploration of a contemporary migration mystery.