Critique on a book: Adequate border control policies as a foundation for worldwide fairness in society?

In 2016, Juan Carlos Velasco published "The Chance of Borders: Migration Policies, Citizenship, and Justice," a thought-provoking monograph that delves into the complexities of international migration. Published by Fondo de Cultura Económica, the book spans 372 pages and offers valuable insights for both beginners and advanced readers in migration studies.

Velasco's analysis focuses on the European refugee crisis, particularly the migrant caravan that passed through Mexico. One of his key contributions is his work on the use of WhatsApp among members of the migrant caravan, as part of his affiliation with El Colegio de la Frontera Sur in Mexico.

The book does not specifically mention the topic of asylum seekers and refugees, but it sparks a discussion about the kind of societies we want to live in, for migrants and non-migrants alike. It encourages questioning the shortcomings of democracies and the consequences of globalization on them.

Velasco argues that while globalization has blurred the boundaries of domestic justice theory, migration policies remain under state control. He uses Rawls' theories of justice as a starting point to question what kind of societies would be acceptable to any individual if they did not know their social condition or place of birth.

This approach results in a recognition of different categories of human beings: citizens, denizens, margizens, refugees, and asylum seekers, each with different legal statuses. States have increased their sovereign power to control immigration, building walls and distinctions between citizens and non-citizens.

The "refugee crisis" in Europe is noticeable by its absence in the monograph, implying that the ethical implications of the lack of European solidarity could be the subject of another book. Velasco warns of the risk of a society of castes becoming lethal for a liberal democratic order.

The book shifts debates of contemporary justice theory from the domestic to the global sphere by considering the chance of being born not only in one social stratum but in one country. It raises pertinent questions not only for those interested in migration but for anyone who questions the society in which they live.

Velasco proposes analytical and management alternatives centered on global social justice and human rights for a more just and cosmopolitan society. In a time of rising xenophobia, nationalism, and the far right, this book is particularly relevant and timely. It consolidates a great breach in a fundamental principle of democracy: equality among individuals.

Critique on a book: Adequate border control policies as a foundation for worldwide fairness in society?