| Abstract: | A substantial body of evidence indicates that distance detersmigration, internally and internationally, in the industrializedas well as the developing economies. Despite this, distanceplays almost no role either in the development literature oreven the new economic geography. After a brief overview of thetypes of evidence on the role of distance in affecting migration,the paper critically examines a number of hypotheses as to whydistance might deter migration, then draws out some implicationsfor the emergence and persistence of geographic poverty traps.The paper closes with a series of suggestions for additionalresearch and data needs, to better inform policy decisions thatimpinge upon the geographic distribution of poverty, and henceupon the potential for trickle-down development. |
