Immigration and International Co-operation: Public Goods Theory & Collective Refugee Management

Thielemann, Eiko R. (2007) Immigration and International Co-operation: Public Goods Theory & Collective Refugee Management. In: UNSPECIFIED, Montreal, Canada. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

By its very nature, international migration has an impact on the relations between countries of origin and destination. In the case of large-scale refugee flows, such movements also affect the relations between destination countries, as unilateral policy responses by one states often produces significant externalities for other states. Resulting free-riding opportunities undermine cooperation and lead to the under-provision of collective security measures aimed at controlling the movement of displaced persons. In recognition of these collective action problems, international institutions have played an increasingly influential role in the management of global asylum- and refugee flows. This paper highlights the security considerations that have prompted European states into cooperation through the institutions of the European Union. By analysing these collective efforts from an international public goods perspective, this paper offers new ways to assess the efficiency and equity of international refugee burden-sharing initiatives.

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