Liberal Self-Determination in a World of Migration

Liberal states value freedom and equality but often deny entrance to prospective immigrants fleeing extreme violence and police their borders in discriminatory and stigmatizing ways. Luara Ferracioli's book tackles the philosophical questions that arise from immigration, such as who can exercise self-determination and why they have such a right in the first place.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The values of freedom and equality are at the core of what it means for liberal states to serve their citizens justly. However, when it comes to the question of whether liberal states can uphold these values while managing their borders, many philosophers remain skeptical. After all, liberal states frequently deny entry to prospective immigrants who are fleeing extreme forms of violence. They also often police their borders in discriminatory and stigmatizing ways, contributing to a situation where immigrants are treated as morally inferior by society at large. Such practices directly contradict any commitment to the principles of freedom and equality.

In her book, Luara Ferracioli delves into three crucial questions related to the movement of individuals across international borders: What gives some residents of a liberal society the right to be considered citizens of that society, granting them the authority to make decisions about its political future? And do citizens of a liberal society possess a prima facie right to exclude prospective immigrants, even if they uphold the values of freedom and equality? Finally, if citizens have this prima facie right to exclude prospective immigrants, are there moral guidelines regarding how they should exercise it?

The book addresses the most pressing philosophical dilemmas arising from immigration, namely the questions of who can exercise self-determination and why they possess such a right in the first place. By exploring these profound questions, Ferracioli offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between liberalism, immigration, and the pursuit of justice for all individuals.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190056070