Second Edition

Open Borders

In Open Borders, Teresa Hayter assesses the impact of the increasing severity of border controls since they were first introduced and makes the controversial case for their abolition. Hayter focuses on postwar immigration controls, especially the use of such controls against the peoples of former European colonies and East Europeans, and their effects on asylum seekers. She examines the recent history of European coordination of border controls and the notion of ‘Fortress Europe’.

Hayter argues that the existence of controls leads to great suffering and abuse of human rights, and that immigration controls are racist and help legitimate racism. She also argues the case that migration does not threaten jobs, working conditions or the welfare state in Europe. On the contrary, it has the potential to increase prosperity worldwide. Controls, at vast human and financial cost, actually do little to control numbers.

To illustrate her arguments, Hayter draws on empirical material and first-hand experience, especially in Britain in the 1990s, relating in particular to the use of detention, arbitrary decision-making and the denial of benefits. She compares British government policies with policies elsewhere in Europe and calls for the free movement of people to be recognised as a universal human right.

• ISBN: 0745322441
• Publisher: Pluto Press / Eurocomment Distribution
• Author: Teresa Hayter
• Language: English

Price: 21.00 €

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