ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the subjective perceptions and evaluations of the poor underlying their engagement in unregulated trade in order to reveal the "cultures" of unregulated trade. It demonstrates that the poor embraced unlawful practices "to create what they see as a worthwhile life, or a way of life worth living and fighting for" rather than the urge to rise to wealth or make money hand over fist. The chapter suggests that the cultures of unregulated trade were not only dictated by an economic rationality, but they also drew on community and kinship norms and habits. The neoliberal policies revived the transnational shadow economy by providing the legal framework that extenuated the security measures and penalties, if not completely abolished, against the unregulated economic activities deemed illegal. The arrival of Syrian migrants triggered the discontent among town dwellers and overshadowed the cross-border kinship ties that they laid much emphasis on.
