Assignment #1 - Immigration

In this exercise, we will be examining some of the key current debates on international migration that concern politics, economics, and culture. You will be reading two short articles online and providing some analysis of the views presented in each piece.

“The case for globalized labor” by Stephan Faris, appearing in Salon.com

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/05/01/global_labor/index.html

“Germany has misread Islam” by Christopher Caldwell, appearing in the Financial Times

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4fa8a4c4-627f-11de-b1c9-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F4fa8a4c4-627f-11de-b1c9-00144feabdc0.html&_i_referer=

1. What are the main arguments of each author? Summarize their points of agreement and disagreement.

2. Stephan Faris writes, “If we're going to ask countries to let in our goods, we should be willing to let in their workers.” Do you agree? What might be the effects of relaxing immigration restrictions?

3. Christopher Caldwell makes a point about the integration of immigrant communities. Should ideas about diversity and integration be considered in immigration policy? Should countries take into account the origins of migrant communities?

4. Both authors talk about the ethics of immigration, though one from a cultural angle and the other from an economic angle. If you were designing an immigration policy, would you rely more on cultural or economic arguments?