Toward A Theory of Immigration

Changes in the global political order have combined with dominant trends in liberal political philosophy to spark increasing scholarly criticism of the state's traditional right to regulate immigration according to its own national identity. In the face of these political and scholarly trends, Meilaender offers a strong yet thoughtful defense of that right, arguing that, within broad limitations, states may legitimately exercise wide discretion in crafting immigrations policies that reflect their own particular visions of political community. The concrete issue of immigration thus serves as a lens through which to focus on abiding dilemmas of politics and culture that lie at the heart of political philosophy.