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Sunday 13 August 2023

A Level Economics: Why do the Elites in Fast Growing Countries encourage their Children to migrate away to other countries?

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A scenario where a fast-growing country's prosperous elite encourages their children to migrate to other poorly performing countries can be driven by various factors, each with its own set of motivations and consequences. While the specifics would depend on the context, here are some potential reasons for this phenomenon:

  1. Education Opportunities: The fast-growing country might lack high-quality education systems or prestigious institutions that are available in more established nations. The elite could be sending their children abroad to access better education and academic prospects. For instance, countries like India and China have witnessed this trend, with affluent families sending their children to study in universities in the United States and Europe.


  2. Economic Diversification: The prosperous elite might recognize that their country's economy is overly reliant on a particular industry or sector, making it vulnerable to economic shocks. By encouraging their children to migrate to countries with more diversified economies, they are aiming to provide them with opportunities in industries that might not be well-developed in their home country.


  3. Social Mobility and Exposure: Moving to a different country can provide these children with exposure to different cultures, ideas, and networks. This exposure can broaden their horizons and potentially lead to more opportunities and innovative thinking. The elite may believe that such experiences could equip their children to contribute more effectively to their home country upon returning.


  4. Wealth Preservation and Security: Political instability, legal uncertainties, or concerns about potential future upheavals in the fast-growing country might motivate the elite to send their children abroad. By establishing a presence in other countries, they can safeguard their family's assets and provide a secure fallback option if circumstances at home deteriorate.


  5. Dissatisfaction with Domestic Systems: Despite the country's rapid growth, there might be deep-seated issues such as corruption, lack of basic infrastructure, or inadequate healthcare services. The elite may perceive these problems as fundamental and prefer to ensure their children's future by placing them in countries with more robust systems.


  6. Global Connections and Networking: Migrating to other countries can help the elite's children build international networks and establish connections that could be beneficial for business and personal growth. These networks could later be leveraged to foster partnerships, investments, and collaborations that benefit the fast-growing country.


  7. Political Considerations: In some cases, the elite might have close ties with the governments of poorly performing countries. This could lead to investment opportunities, special privileges, or favorable business conditions for their children, which might not be readily available in their home country.

For instance, consider a scenario where the elite of Country A, experiencing remarkable economic growth but lacking advanced education systems, encourage their children to study in Country B, which boasts top-tier universities and educational resources. The children might later establish connections, acquire skills, and develop a global perspective that could potentially be applied to benefit Country A's development.

In summary, the decision by a fast-growing country's prosperous elite to encourage their children to migrate to other poorly performing countries can be driven by a combination of factors such as education, economic diversification, exposure, wealth preservation, dissatisfaction with domestic systems, global networking, and political considerations. The ultimate goal is often to secure a better future for their children while potentially creating avenues for positive impact on their home country's development in the long run.

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Let's delve into real-world examples to illustrate each point more vividly:

  1. Quality of Life Disparities: In India, despite its rapid economic growth and burgeoning tech industry, there is a stark contrast between the living conditions of the urban elite and the majority of the population. Many affluent families from India send their children to study or settle abroad, often citing concerns about air pollution, lack of reliable healthcare, and an underdeveloped public infrastructure. They believe that countries like Canada or Australia offer a healthier and more secure environment for their families.


  2. Education Opportunities: Consider the case of South Korea, a country known for its high-pressure education system. Even though South Korea has a strong economy and technological advancements, many Korean parents send their children to countries like the United States for higher education. They view the American education system as more conducive to nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and a broader skill set beyond rote memorization.


  3. Business Expansion and Global Networks: Chinese entrepreneurs and business magnates often encourage their children to study in the United Kingdom or the United States. By doing so, they aim to facilitate international connections that can be leveraged for business expansion. These students become part of global networks, gaining exposure to diverse markets and potential partnerships that might not be as readily available within China's domestic business environment.


  4. Political Stability: Wealthy families in countries like Venezuela face ongoing political and economic instability. Amid hyperinflation and political uncertainty, many of these families have sent their children abroad to countries like Spain or the United States. They fear that sudden policy changes or government interventions could jeopardize their wealth and stability, prompting them to seek safer havens.


  5. Tax and Regulatory Environment: Russian oligarchs have been known to invest heavily in Western countries, including the United Kingdom. While Russia has seen economic growth driven by its vast natural resources, some of its affluent citizens invest abroad to take advantage of more favorable tax regimes and business-friendly regulations in the West.


  6. Opportunities for Social Mobility: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, like the United Arab Emirates, have experienced substantial economic growth due to oil reserves. However, in these countries, social mobility can be limited by factors such as a reliance on expatriate labor and a heavily regulated job market. As a result, some wealthy families send their children to Western countries for education and career opportunities that offer greater mobility and personal growth.


  7. Environmental Concerns: In parts of Southeast Asia, rapid economic development has often come at the cost of environmental degradation. Wealthy families in countries like Indonesia might send their children to countries with stronger environmental regulations, like Sweden or Norway, to ensure they grow up in a cleaner, more sustainable environment.


  8. Cultural and Lifestyle Preferences: In countries like Saudi Arabia, despite its economic advancements, some wealthy families encourage their children to study or invest in Western countries due to a desire for more liberal lifestyles and access to cultural amenities that might not be as readily available at home.

These real-world examples emphasize how the decision for prosperous elites to encourage their children to migrate to other countries is shaped by a complex interplay of economic, social, political, and personal factors. It underscores the intricacies of globalization, mobility, and the pursuit of improved opportunities and lifestyles.

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