Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP4737
Authors: Graziella Bertocchi; Chiara Strozzi
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: borders; citizenship laws; democracy; international migration; legal origins
JEL Codes: F22; K40; N30; O15
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| original citizenship laws (K37) | migration patterns (F22) |
| legal tradition (K15) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| immigration rates (J11) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| border stability (F55) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| consolidation of democracy (O17) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| welfare burdens (I38) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| cultural factors (Z10) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| colonial history (N40) | citizenship laws (K37) |
| citizenship laws (K37) | migration patterns (F22) |