Immigration and liberal freedom

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

5-2024

Abstract

Liberals generally believe that people should be free and that all have an equal claim to freedom. The problem, both philosophically and politically, is to figure out (1) how freedom is to be understood and secured, (2) what treating people equally requires, and (3) who counts as the people to be considered. The question of immigration brings the last of these problems to the fore, and in so doing reveals the extent to which the issues of freedom and equality cannot be addressed without asking: whose freedom and equality of whom? This chapter explores the tension within liberal thinking. Its main purpose is to elucidate the nature of the dilemma liberals face, given the tradeoffs involved. It will, however, also advance reasons for thinking that a more open attitude to immigration is consistent with a better version of liberalism.

Keywords

Liberalism, Immigration, Freedom, Migration, Democracy, Equality

Discipline

Liberal Studies | Political Science

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Research Handbook on Liberalism

Editor

D. Ivison

First Page

210

Last Page

224

ISBN

9781839109027

Identifier

10.4337/9781839109034.00019

Publisher

Edward Elgar

City or Country

Cheltenham

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839109034.00019

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