Introduction
International migrants often move to developed countries, with the US, European countries, and the UAE being the top destinations. Notably, international migration entails entry (immigration) and exit (emigration) (Song, 2018, p.386). Public debate concerning the need for governments across the globe to open their borders to people who wish to move in their countries primarily focuses on immigration. Political theorists frame this issue using binary terms: you either support or oppose immigration (Song, 2018, p.386). One side is comprised of people who view borders as inefficient and unjust and challenge governments to open their borders to encourage the free circulation of people. On the other side are individuals who call for restrictive immigration measures to protect national and cultural identities. While these arguments are compelling, this paper argues that opening borders to all people promotes economic growth and moral equality and facilitates adaptation to climate change.
The Concept of Open Borders
Due to globalisation, calls for unrestricted movement of people have increased in recent years. Historical and political accounts indicate territorial demarcations or national borders are consequences of warfare invasions and conquests (Castañeda, 2020, p.3). However, the unintended impacts of these boundaries have led to calls for open borders from political leaders and scholars. The concept of open borders implies that governments should remove restrictions that inhibit the movement of people in and out of their countries (Weiner, 1996, p.172). Niño Arnaiz (2022) affirms that open borders mean “unrestricted freedom of movement between countries” but not a relaxation of immigration policies (p.59). Therefore, open borders demand the right to immigrate. This raises the question of whether governments everywhere should open their borders to people wishing to move to their countries.
Evidence Supporting Open Borders
The overarching limitation to the free mobility of people is the selective permeability of international political borders. Scholarship advocating for no borders and open borders highlights arguments that portray border controls and human migration controls as problematic (Baudr, 2014, p.78). Studies have shown that border controls cause countless injuries and deaths, separation of families, mass detention and deportation of migrants, and restrict the freedom of movement (Chamberlain, 2019, p.2). As such, political theorists have identified why governments everywhere should open their borders to everyone.
Moral Equality and Freedom
The proponents of open borders assume either materialist or liberal positions. Liberal political theory advocates for open borders, holding that migration controls violate liberal principles like moral equality (Bauder, 2014, p.79). From a liberal utilitarian perspective, government policies that restrict the movement of people are unjustifiable because their benefits outweigh the limitations. According to Chamberlain (2019, p. 3), Joseph Carens presents the most influential case supporting open borders based on moral equality and freedom. Carens’ feudalism analogy highlights the unfairness of being born in a wealthy country. His arguments are based on utilitarianism, liberal egalitarianism, and libertarianism. Based on these theories, open borders allow free migration, enabling people born in developing countries to move to developed nations to harness more excellent opportunities (Weiner, 1996, p.174). This implies that all humans have equal moral worth.
Academicians have provided more arguments supporting open borders. First, political theorists appeal to liberal egalitarian principles of equal opportunity and moral equality. This claim contends that respecting people’s moral equality demands a global commitment to equal opportunities (Song, 2018, p.389). Equality of opportunity implies that a person’s capacities and talents should determine access to various social positions. This moral argument supporting open borders is attributable to gross economic inequalities among countries (Weiner, 1996, p.174; Carens, 2015; Bartram, 2010, p.342). As a result, immigration controls contribute to unjust discrimination. Achieving equality of opportunity across the globe requires unrestricted movement of people facilitated by open borders.
Second, the proponents of open borders cite the value of freedom. Jean-Luc Nancy, a French philosopher, argued that community and freedom are mutually constitutive (Chamberlain, 2019, p.14). In other words, freedom of community demands openness to the outside. Several freedom-based arguments support the need for global open borders. First, political theorists argue that freedom of movement is a human right (Song, 2018, p.389). Velasco (2016) shared similar thoughts, noting that freedom of residence and the free circulation of people are critical human rights. Secondly, unrestricted international movement extends rights people consider fundamental: “the right to leave a country and the right of domestic free movement” (Song, 2018, p.390). Third, libertarians believe that open borders facilitate optimal utilisation of human resources, contributing to growth and happiness (Bartram, 2010, p.343). As such, when governments open their borders to all people, they stimulate economic growth and prosperity.
Economic Growth
Neoclassical and neoliberal economists critique migration restrictions and border controls due to associated economic losses. In 2020, Basboga investigated the economic implications of open borders in Europe. The findings indicated that opening national borders facilitated the free movement of people, increasing regional gross value added (GVA) by 2.7% per capita in Europe (p.540). Caplan and Naik (2015, p.233) identify labour as the most valuable commodity globally – yet due to harsh immigration laws, most human capital is underutilised. Border controls and immigration restrictions artificially interfere with the self-regulating labour market since they selectively allow some immigrants to partake in national labour markets while preventing competition from foreign workers (Bauder, 2014, p.79). On the contrary, open borders allow free-cross-border movement of labour, increasing labour competition, removing privileges associated with protected labour, and eventually adding productivity and efficiency. As such, governments everywhere should open their borders to tap the value of people intending to move to their countries.
Economic growth is also stimulated by innovation. Migration makes people more productive and innovative (Caplan. and Naik, 2015, p.236). As Savic (n.d.) writes, collaboration between people from diverse cultures brings unique ideas and perspectives that contribute to innovation. For example, Silicon Valley, a well-known technological hub as well as home to the world’s prominent technological companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook, is an excellent example of the value of open borders in fostering creativity and innovation (Savic, n.d.; Caplan. and Naik, 2015, p.236). The success of these technological firms is mainly attributable to the continuous influx of immigrants – those from within America and those from other nations. The innovative ideas, talents, and skills of immigrants have transformed Silicon Valley into an international centre of excellence.
Economic growth fuelled by migration has steadily lowered global inequality. Data collected between 1970 and 200 revealed a decline in inequality (Caplan. and Naik, 2015, p.237). From an economic point of view, open borders allow people to move from areas with low productivity to those with high productivity. This enriches the world as people escape poverty, equalising income distribution. Open borders lead to quicker and larger progress by addressing international gaps (Caplan. and Naik, 2015, p.237). While international inequality cannot vanish overnight, governments everywhere should consider opening their doors to achieve equal or even income distribution.
Global Justice
The free movement of people by encouraging open borders catalyses global redistribution of resources, increasing the possibility of improving the welfare of underprivileged communities and countries. The policing of national borders is becoming unacceptable politically and socially because of its significant cost to human lives and materials (Velasco, 2016). The defence for free circulation and open borders as a solution to global justice is hinged on the following three premises (Niño Arnaiz, 2022, p.55). First, the world is unjust, as millions of individuals lack the basic resources to sustain a decent life. Secondly, open borders worldwide would alleviate global injustices by allowing individuals to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Finally, borders reproduce injustice by partially delimiting opportunities and preventing people from relocating to developed nations. Thus, the solution to poverty and other global injustices lies in lifting immigration restrictions and permitting the free movement of people across borders.
Adaptation to Climate Change
Migration can be increasingly employed as an adaptive strategy to minimise populations’ vulnerability and expire to the effects of climate change. Benveniste, Oppenheimer, and Fleurbaey (2020) researched the impact of restrictive border policies on vulnerability and exposure to climate change effects for host communities and migrants. The results suggested that restrictive border policies increase vulnerability and exposure to the effects of climate change by trapping individuals in countries where they find themselves (p.6). Further, the study confirmed the role remittances and migration play in positively contributing to climate change adaptation. Opening borders allows countries to get additional income through remittances that can be invested in reducing susceptibility to the effects of climate change. Therefore, opening borders can increase awareness about the effects of climate change.
Arguments Against Open Borders
Despite the many arguments favouring open borders, numerous political theorists have opposed the idea of governments allowing free movement in and out of their borders. Although open borders take a high moral ground, the move can jeopardise the welfare of the host counter and threaten its politicide (Weiner, 1996, p.173). A prosperous and safe country that opens its doors to foreigners risks overwhelming its welfare and social services. Many migrants can seek to transform the host country’s political system (Weiner, 1996, p.173). Nonetheless, border policy evidence is counterintuitive, implying border openings and lifting movement restrictions do not automatically increase immigration and emigration (Vezzoli, 2021, p.3). Also, border closures do not end migration.
Michael Walzer (1998) provides a notable view explaining why governments should restrict the movement of people in and out of their borders. Political theorists use the concept of political membership, which is perceived as a fundamental social good (Song, 2018, p.387). Walzer compared political communities to neighbourhoods, families, and clubs. He noted that, unlike families, clubs, and neighbourhoods, governments have the obligation/right to regulate the physical movement and location of nonmembers and members on their territories (Song, 2018, p.388). This is because political communities must safeguard their people’s welfare, culture, and security. Hence, restrictive border policies are instrumental in preserving and maintaining distinctive cultures. The cultural imperative shows governments everywhere should control immigration to protect the welfare, liberty, culture, and politics of their political communities.
Another objection to open borders is based on the liberal nationalistic model of self-determination. Miller (2016) advanced Walzer’s cultural argument by pointing out that governments should control migration based on self-determination rights (Song, 2018, p.392). In this case, citizens are interested in the preservation and character of their respective national culture. Immigration produces ethnic and racial diversity, affecting the pace at which national culture changes. In countries with high immigration rates, there is insufficient time to adjust to cultural change. Notably, ethnic and racial diversity caused by immigration reduces belief in political institutions and social trust (Song, 2018, p.392). If immigration levels negatively affect social trust, democratic participation, and social welfare delivery, governments should not open their borders. The nationalistic account suggests immigration control helps preserve national identity.
Finally, scholars have refuted the claim that open borders are necessary for achieving global justice. Niño Arnaiz (2022) challenges this assumption, holding that global justice and open borders are incompatible principles. Open borders only remove free transit barriers, allowing people to move freely to other countries. By contrast, distributive justice requires government intervention to allocate social cooperation burdens and benefits fairly (Niño Arnaiz, 2022, p.59). Thus, advocating for open borders to promote global justice seems unjustifiable.
Conclusion
The question of whether governments everywhere should open their doors to people who wish to move into their countries demands a critical review of possible cons and pros. This paper argues that governments should embrace an open border policy to enjoy the benefits of economic and moral equality. Open border proponents cite the value achieved through equal global opportunities and the extension of freedoms people enjoy today. Again, open borders generate economic gains, contribute to global justice, and help adapt to the effects of climate change. However, open border critics cite the need to protect national cultures and identities as a sufficient ground to restrict immigration. While these arguments are compelling, governments should establish frameworks that allow people to move across borders more freely. Open borders can address global inefficiencies caused by strict immigration policies.
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