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Degrees of Separation: Informal Social Protection, Relatedness and Migration in Biswanath, Bangladesh

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  • Katy Gardner
  • Zahir Ahmed

Abstract

This paper argues for a more precise and context specific understanding of mechanisms of 'informal social protection' in Bangladesh. The context is a 'Londoni' village in Sylhet which has high levels of internal and overseas migration. The economic boom caused by the latter provides important employment opportunities for people from much poorer areas of Bangladesh, who have moved into the area. Yet, as our findings show, the extent to which the poor can call upon the help and protection of rich overseas migrants depends upon the degree of closeness to, or separation from, them. This is marked both through real and fictive kinship as well as geography: those that come from nearby become 'our own poor', whereas those from further away are treated as 'outsiders', not qualifying for significant 'help'. As the paper argues, access to hierarchically ordered places is vital for the sustainability of precarious livelihoods. Yet whilst geographical movement is an important survival strategy for the poor, it is only when social relations are established with wealthy patrons that it can be said to contribute to informal social protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Katy Gardner & Zahir Ahmed, 2009. "Degrees of Separation: Informal Social Protection, Relatedness and Migration in Biswanath, Bangladesh," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 124-149.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:45:y:2009:i:1:p:124-149
    DOI: 10.1080/00220380802468587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Naila Kabeer, 2002. "Safety Nets and Opportunity Ladders: Addressing Vulnerability and Enhancing Productivity in South Asia," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 20(5), pages 589-614, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gardner, Katy, 2018. "We demand work! ‘Dispossession’, patronage and village labour in Bibiyana, Bangladesh," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 86541, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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