Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2012

Abstract

The present contribution offers a defence of open borders. It presents a critique of the idea that the state has a justified claim to regulate themovement of people because they reflect the collective endeavours of the members of the state to pursue a shared project of self-rule or self-determination. Itargues that this view rests on an indefensible understanding of the nature of thestate, which should be viewed less as a collective endeavour than as a productof conflicts among political elites. There is a strong prima facie case for freemovement that suggests there should be a presumption in favour of open borders. The argument from self-determination is not a sound basis for justifyingrestrictions on the movement of people.

Keywords

Immigration, State, Self-determination, Justice, Political community

Discipline

International Relations | Political Science

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Ethical Perspectives

Volume

19

Issue

4

First Page

650

Last Page

675

ISSN

1370-0049

Publisher

Peeters

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