On Immigration and Refugees (Thinking in Action) - Hardcover

Dummett, Sir Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415227070 ISBN 13: 9780415227070

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

On Immigration and Refugees Michael Dummett explores the confused and often unjust thinking on immigration. He questions the principles behind state policies and points out that they often conflict with refugees' rights as laid down by the Geneva Convention.

About this title

Review:

"A lucid philosophical discussion of the ethical principles at stake in matters of immigration and asylum, and a sharp review of the historical ways they have been manhandled.."
-"New Left Review
..."a timely and useful contribution to the debate...a clear, readable and coherent argument.."
-"Humanist News
..."makes the case meticulously...Sir Michael's narrative gains power from its cold-blooded, uncolored language...a terrible indictment of modern British immigration policy.."
-"The Economist
"This book, passionately argued and shot through with a sense of urgency, is Dummett's timely contribution to the debate.. an invigorating read."
-Lena Barrett
..."acutely spots a blank in the mentality of earlier political philosophers who 'have seldom asked what obligations a state has towards those who are not its citizens' and argues powerfully against those who 'hold that we have at most only negative duties towards strangers: that, for example, we may not kill them, but have no duty to protect them from being killed.' He exposes the fraudulence of the phrase 'bogus asylum-seeker'....It would be rash to expect so decent a voice will get much of a hearing. After all, selfishness is not only admired but encouraged all around us....'."
-"The Evening Standard

Synopsis:

This text provides an insight into the major contemporary issue of immigration and refugees. The initial part of the book provides a critique of the policy concerning these people in Britain, particularly the treatment of those fleeing political persecution. The volume goes on to offer some philosophical reflections on the consequences of these policies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0415227070
• ISBN 13: 9780415227070
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176