The Ethics of Borders and Migration

Migration places into sharp relief the question of how to balance the rights of sovereign states and their citizens against the claims of (often-needy) foreigners. Should self-governing peoples be free to set their own migration policies and control their territorial borders without interference? Or ought they instead to be constrained by a human rights to immigrate? This course addresses these and related questions, in part by theorizing foundational issues of self-determination, boundaries, national culture, and membership. We also take up contemporary debates about guest workers, irregular migrants, refugees, and brain drain.