Should We Have Open Borders?

Immigration continues to be a hotly debated topic across many countries. These debates raise fundamental moral and political questions. Do countries have the right to determine their immigration policy? Or do they violate would-be immigrants’ rights to free movement when they set restrictions? In this timely volume, Christopher Freiman and Hrishikesh Joshi offer opposing arguments to answer such questions.

Christopher Freiman argues for open borders. On his view, freedom of movement is both important in its own right and needed for people to exercise other freedoms—specifically, occupational choice, association, and exchange. Moreover, whatever justifications are given for limits on international movement can also justify illiberal policies within countries. Political liberals should therefore defend open borders. Hrishikesh Joshi argues that we have an interest in determining the composition of our communities, especially in a democratic society. This grounds a right to set immigration policy. And in general, our rights to free movement are limited by the rights of others—for example, to property or against bodily harm. Joshi further argues that some migration restrictions can be justified from a utilitarian or effective altruist perspective, insofar as economic and political institutions are sensitive to immigration policy.

Their debate will captivate anyone who is curious or concerned about the moral, political, and economic implications of immigration.

Key Features:

• Includes arguments and empirical research relevant to immigration in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• Highly accessible approach to a complex problem, with clear language, and an easy-to-follow format.
• Approaches immigration from a “PPE” perspective, incorporating ideas from political science and economics, as well as philosophy.
• Uses novel thought experiments to illustrate moral issues.
• Pedagogical aids include a glossary and annotated reading lists at the back of the book.