Honors Program
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
Spring 3-12-2018
Citation
Ondracek, Anna C. Support for Open Borders: A Study of Spanish Society. BA Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lincoln, Nebraska. 12 March 2018.
Abstract
In his book “The Ethics of Immigration”, political philosopher Joseph Carens argues for the rights of migrant populations on the grounds of democracy, freedom, and equality. He advocates for open international borders, focusing on democratic countries in North America and Europe. Carens compares the current international order of closed borders to feudalism and discusses various forms of privilege Westerners have, which, he says, makes those in the West complacent and unaware of the injustices from which Westerners benefit. Focusing on the case of Spain, this project evaluates public opinions on the debate over open borders. I survey the support for open borders by examining whether Spaniards support democracy and human rights. I examine support for closed borders through whether they support self-determination. Finally, I examine support for a middle ground by looking at support for refugees and other special cases of migration. This project proposes that although Spaniards are overwhelmingly accepting of democratic values and human rights in theory, the data shows a reluctance to fully accept immigrants, regardless of their education level and place of origin.
Comments
Copyright Anna Ondracek 2018