Human Capital: A History of Putting Refugees to Work

Historian Laura Robson reveals the dark heart of our purportedly humanitarian international regime, tracing the century-long history of attempts to remake refugees into disposable migrant labor. She demonstrates how global humanitarianism has a deep-seated commitment to refugee exploitation and containment, with examples such as Balkan refugees in the late Ottoman Empire, Roosevelt's secret plans to use German Jewish refugees as laborers in Latin America, and contemporary European efforts to deploy Syrians as low-wage workers in Jordan.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Verso Books

Historian Laura Robson delves into the murky depths of our purportedly humanitarian international regime, unveiling the dark heart of global humanitarianism's unwavering commitment to refugee exploitation and containment. Tracing a century-long history of attempts to transform refugees into disposable migrant labor, Robson sheds light on the profound roots of this global system. Through a comprehensive survey of policy across the globe, Robson vividly captures the struggles of Balkan refugees in the late Ottoman Empire, the secret plans of Roosevelt to employ German Jewish refugees as laborers in Latin America, and the contemporary European efforts to deploy Syrians as low-wage workers in remote regions of Jordan.

The narrative of internationalist refugee aid, often portrayed as an inspirational tale of reformers fighting for a system that would safeguard the rights of displaced and dispossessed individuals, takes on a different hue when viewed through Robson's lens. As she reveals, the motives behind modern refugee policy are not necessarily driven by altruistic intentions. Refugees have become easy prey for global industrial capitalism, exploited for their labor and cheap resources in various parts of the world.

Robson's analysis is a powerful indictment of the systemic flaws within the international refugee system. She challenges the notion that humanitarianism is solely motivated by compassion and empathy, instead exposing the economic and political interests that drive refugee policies. By examining the historical and contemporary examples she provides, Robson highlights the ways in which refugees are commodified, their rights violated, and their lives shattered.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of refugee crises and the role of global institutions in perpetuating them. It sheds light on the hidden agendas behind humanitarianism and calls for a more ethical and sustainable approach to addressing the needs of displaced people. Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Robson provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about refugee policy and the urgent need for reform.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 162 x 244 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804290217