Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines arguments for different moral views about public policy, and some people are rather skeptical about the value of arguments in this area. It explores where alternative values might lead someone to different conclusions. The book looks at both some relatively utopian proposals — such as a world with no borders at all, with unlimited freedom of movement — and also some proposals that could be more readily implemented — such as incremental changes intended to prevent domestic abuse of unauthorized migrants. The book also looks at debates about how “open” state borders should be: to what extent migrants should be able to enter a territory without impediment. It considers arguments for open and for “closed” borders, such as the fiscal impact of immigration on receiving countries and the place of immigration in addressing global inequality.