The New Untouchables

the long version

Nigel Harris's ground-breaking book examines migration as a response to changes in the world economy. He shows that, despite tighter controls, increasing numbers of workers are moving, whether legally or not, between countries. Unskilled immigrant workers play a vital role in improving standards of living in the developed world. And in turn the countries from which they have come benefit in a major way from the earnings sent back home. Arguing that few of the fears about immigration are justified, and that increased immigration tends to mean that jobs and incomes expand, Harris shows why governments will have to ensure the freedom of people to come and go as they choose.