Why Do People Flee? Revisiting Forced Migration in Post-Saddam Baghdad

When faced with political violence, why do some people choose to leave their homeswhile others stay? This article looks for motivations, particularly socioeconomicfactors, behind decisions to stay or go. Drawing on new survey data from post-Saddam Baghdad, it confirms the general axiom that violent conflicts cause people toflee. However, the results are inconclusive in terms of the effect of socioeconomiccircumstances as a major push or pull factor. Patriotism does not have an impact onmigration intentions, and optimism about Iraq’s future does not suffice as a pull factor.Interestingly, people who intend to flee Iraq are better educated, contrary to the generalfar right media portrayal of refugees.