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Table 5 Summary of questions and codings

From: Financial remittances, trans-border conversations, and the state

Ros2, Ros3, Ros4

“The (Country) government, more than individuals, is the most responsible for ensuring the well-being of the people. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?” “The (Country) government, more than the private sector, has the primary responsibility for creating jobs. To what extent to do you agree or disagree with this statement?” “The (Country) government should implement firm policies to reduce income inequality between the rich and the poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?” (1) strongly disagree to (7) strongly agree.

Remittances

Does your family receive remittances from abroad? (1) Yes (0) No

Family abroad

Do you have close relatives who used to live in this household and are now living abroad? Recoded to (1) Yes (0) No.

Dependence

To what extent does the income of this household depend on remittances from abroad? (0) No remittances (1) Nothing (2) Little (3) Some (4) A lot.

Contact

How often do you communicate with them (family abroad)? (0) No family abroad (1) Never (2) Rarely (3) Once or twice a month (4) One or twice per week (5) Everyday. [As categorical variable: (1/2) Low (3) Medium (4/5) High]

Government efficiency

Continuous variable constructed out of three items. To what extent would you say the current administration fights poverty? To what extent would you say the current administration improves citizen security?

To what extent would you say the current administration combats unemployment? (1) Nothing (7) A lot

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Factors constructed out of the questions asking respondents whether they own Television (1) Refrigerator (2) Conventional Telephone (3) Cellular telephone (4) Vehicle (5) Washing Machine (6) Microwave oven (7) Motorcycle (8) Indoor plumbing (9) Indoor bathroom (10) Computer

Political interest

How much interest do you have in politics: a lot, some, little or none? (1) A lot (2) Some (3) Little (4) None

Sociodemographic variables

Age, Gender (Male = 1), Marital Status (Married = 1), Employment Status (Employed = 1), Years of Education, Ethnic Background (White = 1)