The scope of the research project necessitates a solid grounding in the field of migration research and globalisation theories. Chapter 2 provides a literature-intensive introduction into recent anthropological discussions such as future-making, the cultural capacity to aspire, and migration dreams. The underlying question is the following: Which imaginaries and real-life consequences do powerful global narratives such as modernity, globalisation, and mobility produce? A key thesis of this work is thereby that feelings of inequality and ambitions for the ‘good life’ are reflected in the language around migration. Consequently, underlying global narratives are analysed through their narrative structure as promises. Moreover, imagination and imaginaries are introduced as key concepts of this book. To complete the introductory claim of this chapter, it offers a research review on recent tendencies in analysing migration trajectories as deeply contextualised within countries of origin.