Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002.
Michael Dummett is one of the sharpest and most prominent commentators on the ethical and political dilemmas raised by the treatment of immigrants and refugees in Britain and Europe, having
campaigned for their just treatment for over thirty years.
On Immigration and Refugees draws together his thoughts on this major issue for the first time. Clearly but passionately written, he begins by reflecting on some of the fundamental issues underlying the confused and often highly unjust thinking about immigration. He questions what rights opponents of immigration are invoking, what principles gove a state’s policies on immigration, and how such policies often conflict with the rights of refugees as laid down by the Geneva Convention. He also spells out that arguments often used in support of curtailing immigration, such as perceived threats to the national culture, the swelling of local population levels, or that it is somehow ‘good for race relations’, are often completely ungrounded.
Michael Dummett then recounts, with some astonishing examples, the actual treatment of immigrants and refugees in Britain and Europe, and how such treatment frequently betrays racist
origins. Calling for a new inteational body to deal with the problem, On Immigration and Refugees points a new way forward for a humane solution to a problem none of us can afford to ignore.
Michael Dummett is Emeritus Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford. His many books include Frege: Philosophy of Language, Origins of Analytical Philosophy and Principles of Electoral Reform.
Michael Dummett is one of the sharpest and most prominent commentators on the ethical and political dilemmas raised by the treatment of immigrants and refugees in Britain and Europe, having
campaigned for their just treatment for over thirty years.
On Immigration and Refugees draws together his thoughts on this major issue for the first time. Clearly but passionately written, he begins by reflecting on some of the fundamental issues underlying the confused and often highly unjust thinking about immigration. He questions what rights opponents of immigration are invoking, what principles gove a state’s policies on immigration, and how such policies often conflict with the rights of refugees as laid down by the Geneva Convention. He also spells out that arguments often used in support of curtailing immigration, such as perceived threats to the national culture, the swelling of local population levels, or that it is somehow ‘good for race relations’, are often completely ungrounded.
Michael Dummett then recounts, with some astonishing examples, the actual treatment of immigrants and refugees in Britain and Europe, and how such treatment frequently betrays racist
origins. Calling for a new inteational body to deal with the problem, On Immigration and Refugees points a new way forward for a humane solution to a problem none of us can afford to ignore.
Michael Dummett is Emeritus Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford. His many books include Frege: Philosophy of Language, Origins of Analytical Philosophy and Principles of Electoral Reform.