Transnational Peasants: Migrations, Networks, and Ethnicity in Andean Ecuador

Product Description

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.

Review

“This is a timely book that presents very important insights for the study of migration… Transnational Peasants manages to address complex theoretical questions in a clear language while also engaging the reader.” (José Itzigsohn
American Journal of Sociology)

“An insightful, well-researched, comparative, and comprehensive chronicle.” (Sarah J. Mahler
Social Forces)

“The conceptualisation of transnational migration has entailed a shift in the way international migrations have been studied recently. In his work on four Andean communities… Kyle provides us with new elements for understanding this migration. He shows how apparently homogeneous origins can lead to different patterns of transnational migration strategies.” (Verónica de Miguel-Luken
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies)

“Kyle’s masterfully comparative work shows the particularity of the Otavalo transnational experience… Transnational Peasants give[s] us a better understanding of how a particular community faces the risks and opportunities of globalization.” (José Itzigsohn
Diaspora: Journal of Transnational Studies)

“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)

About the Author

David Kyle is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Davis.