This project examines how remittances may contribute to macro-economic stabilization and development. Remittances - the transfer of money from working migrants to their families in their home countries - represent a paradigm case of trans-national stream resource: in many regions of the world they are considered “the third column of development" due to volumes that exceed those of international development assistance and approximately equaling direct investments -- and these remittances are rising. The research question is: what states might do to control remittances in respect to the alleviation of poverty the stabilization of the balance of payments.