[The brain drain: theoretical framework and hypotheses]

"This article studies the 'brain drain' issue from the sociological perspective. It analyzes the various reasons why students from developing countries go to North American and European universities and why they decide either to return or not to return to their own country after graduation. The author...concludes that, although there are political, socioeconomic and academic factors, one's decision to return or not to return to one's country depends mainly on individual aspirations (personal and cultural development) and collective aspirations (perceived possibilities of playing a constructive role, political or otherwise, in one's native country)." (SUMMARY IN ENG)