- Society’s Right to Exclude According to Michael Walzer
Debates about immigration, refugee, and asylum-seeking policies usually converge on the concept of a state’s right to exclude. In particular, Walzer insists that the right to exclude aliens, bound by a specific and unique commonality, enhances communities’ stability (62). Therefore, the right to control immigration is established in state’s sovereignty (Altman and Wellman 158). The word control, in this case, pertains to the decision-making framework that establishes the specific applicants to admit or restrict based on the policies governing the admission criteria or according to the guidelines that allow entry of a particular number of aliens within a certain period. Essentially, it is the right of a state to develop an immigration policy that controls its borders and membership and reflects the criteria by which outsiders can be allowed entry.
How and Why the Flight of People from Persecution and Violence Interfere with the right to Exclude. As much as states retain a sovereign right to exclude aliens from accessing their borders, a country is bound by international laws. Hence, it should accept individuals fleeing from violence and persecution, such as in times of war. Persecution, in this case, may include political vendettas that make it impossible for citizens to remain in their country of origin without risking their lives, loss of property, or personal freedom. Thus, Walzer asserts that the right to control immigration is not entirely without limits and is subject to moral constraints (62-63). It implies that refugees have the right to be admitted and states are obliged to fulfill this requirement emanating from the general right of all humans to live in a safe and secure environment.
The Effect of the Specific Circumstances of Flight on the Obligation to Accept Refugees. Different circumstances are involved when deciding to flee a country. Asylum seekers encounter various issues and challenges on their way to the target nation. For instance, a refugee might use another country (neighboring or otherwise) as a conduit to reach the target destination. Noteworthy, the relationship between the potential host nation and the state from which a person is fleeing might affect the decision to admit. Therefore, the relationship between the conduit and the host country is pertinent to the decision making process.
The Effect of Historical Linkages between the Country of Immigration and the Country of Origin on the Obligation to Accept Refugees. In addition to its obligation to accept refugees and asylum seekers, the host nation retains certain rights regarding its decisions and policies on immigration. However, historical aspects between the two countries may affect the host country’s decision-making on admission. The right to control immigration is predicated on the state’s legitimacy as a sovereign state, without which such a right cannot be upheld (Walzer 61). In such a context, if the host country is viewed as illegitimate by the other nation, attempts to control its membership may not be honored.
The situation is further complicated if the sending country views it as a right to have its citizens admitted, while the host nation feels it as a form of invasion and illegal occupation. The situation is likely to occur where territorial claims are unsettled. From a different perspective, the recipient country might decide to admit refugees as a political statement of its sovereignty in situations where such legitimacy is in doubt or openly challenged by the refugees’ country of origin. Therefore, admittance could be used to convey alliance to a particular side, especially in cases of physical conflict or political illegitimacy.
- Persistent Migration
In recent times, the concept of cumulative causation has dominated international immigration discourses. According to Massey et al., the cumulative causation of migration is evidenced when each immigration occurrence changes the social context where subsequent decisions to migrate are made, which increases the chances that further migration will take place (20). Factors that create persistent immigration after the initial act include the creation of better immigration channels, culture, as well as distribution of human capital, land, and income. The formation of migration networks has a significant role in connecting individuals who have successfully relocated to the new country with those seeking to immigrate.
The linkages considerably ease access to information regarding the immigration process and available opportunities abroad. As a result, individuals are more likely to migrate if they come from areas with historically higher rates of immigration. The initial migration significantly alters societal structures in ways that encourage movement. Hence, networks emerge among families, friends, and acquaintances that generate the information needed for successful immigration. The effects of the initial migration on communities back in the country of origin also explain the cumulative causation phenomenon. The higher the levels of immigration, the more the local communities change in terms of values, cultural perceptions, and cultural flexibility in ways that trigger more migration. Persistent immigration also occurs even in the face of imminent danger. As Le Cam explains, Malians embark on a journey they are not sure of completing and have a higher chance of drowning in the ocean than reaching their destination. The fact that they know some of their predecessors have made a better life for themselves is enough for them to gamble with their lives. The movement becomes an integral part of the portfolio of options for families and individuals seeking to improve their economic prospects as information about the viability of life abroad continue to spread. Investments by those in diaspora completely transform their home country communities. Thus, the savings made by migrants in their local communities become a testament to a better life and, hence, encourage more migration activity.
Le Cam also illustrates the concept of cumulative causation by sheer contrast between the earthen huts of families without a member in Europe, and the half concrete and half-timbered house next door of one with several members working abroad. Essentially, concrete is synonymous with migration since all migrant families replace their mud abides with more spacious concrete structures. It is easy to tell that Bakary has family in the diaspora because of his paved courtyard, with water and electricity. He is the only man in the family who has not immigrated. Migration occurs within a classic pattern unique to the region where the elder leaves first, followed by the other family members. The immigration trips are funded by those who proceeded before, and the trend may continue until only one member is left behind to oversee investments from the remitted money.
- Reasons for the Emergence of Left-Right Coalitions in Support of Immigration Expansionary Policies in America’s Immigration History
Reasons for the Emergence of Left Right Coalitions on Immigration Policies. The left-right coalitions supporting immigration policies have emerged because of competing values on sovereignty and moral obligations relating to immigration. The systems in the U.S. have been shaped by a cost-benefit analysis of the underlying costs of migration and the advantages accrued from the migrant community. Therefore, allowing immigrants and shorter-stay individuals, such as students and skilled employees, has contributed to the robust culture and economic growth.
Nature and Sources of Conflict. America’s immigration policy achievements are threatened by a widening gap between left and right coalitions regarding their divergent immigration policy views. Therefore, the differing opinions account for the existence of left-right factions in support of expansionary policies, albeit based on different motives and methods of attaining the objectives.
Historically, the left-right affiliations are backed by political bipartisanship of a similar approach with the more conservative leaning towards the right and more liberal to the left. The aftermath of the two schools of thoughts has been controversial on policy and political leanings with incumbents controlling the current immigration policy (Tichenor 24). Characteristically, the extreme right has historically supported nationalistic policies; ergo, prioritize the sovereign power of the state to exclude outsiders who do not meet the strict criteria for inclusion. On its part, the left does recognize the right to exclude but insists on the moral limitations on this right noting that offering mutual aid is also a fundamental aspect of being a sovereign state.
The Four Aspects of a Liberal State. Constitutionalism, capitalism, representative democracy, and nationhood are the main facets of a liberal state. In reality, the four dimensions interact to enhance the left-right expansionary coalitions (Hampshire 5). Public perceptions of immigration are shaped through democracy, while the legal process and human rights advocacy under the constitutional state either allow or constrain expansionary tactics. On its part, the idea of nationhood enhances common identity. The dimensions determine who is to be included or excluded, while the nature of capital influences aspects of labor and market both of which are affected by the immigration policies.
Works Cited
Altman, Andrew, and Christopher Heath Wellman. A Liberal Theory of International
Justice. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Hampshire, James. The Politics of Immigration: Contradictions of the Liberal State. Polity Press. 2013.
Le Cam, Morgane, “In Mali, in the Villages of Young People Who Dream of Going to
Europe.” Le Monde, 26 Dec. 2018.
Massey, Douglas S., et al. Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Mexican Immigration in an Era of Economic Integration. Russell Sage Foundation, 2003.
Tiechnor, Daniel, J. “The Congressional Dynamics of Immigration. Undecided Nation: Political Gridlock and the Immigration Crisis, Payan, T. And De La Garza, E.
(Eds.). Springer, 2014, pp. 23-32.
Walzer, Michael. Spheres of Justice: A Defence of Pluralism and Equality. Basic Books,
1983.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
