Book Launch: Immigration and Freedom by Chandran Kukathas

Immigration is often seen as a danger to countries because it threatens to undermine their fundamental values, most notably freedom and national self-determination. In this book, however, Chandran Kukathas argues that the greater threat comes not from immigration but from immigration control. He shows that immigration control is not merely about preventing outsiders from moving across borders. It is about controlling what outsiders do once in a society: whether they work, reside, study, set up businesses, or share their lives with others. But controlling outsiders—immigrants or would-be immigrants—requires regulating, monitoring, and sanctioning insiders, those citizens and residents who might otherwise hire, trade with, house, teach, or generally associate with outsiders. The more vigorously immigration control is pursued, the more seriously citizen freedom is diminished.

At this event, three eminent scholars will subject this thesis to critical scrutiny before opening the matter to a general discussion including the live and virtual audiences.

Please refer to the attached flyer for details to purchase the book. There is a 20% discount and free delivery (within Singapore only) for orders made by end of June 2021.

OPENING ADDRESS

Professor Lily Kong
President, Singapore Management University
Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Social Sciences

AUTHOR

Professor Chandran Kukathas
Dean, School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University
Lee Kong Chian Chair Professor of Political Science

MODERATOR

Associate Professor John Donaldson
Associate Professor of Political Science
School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University

PANELISTS

Professor Antony Anghie
Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore
Executive Editor, Asian Journal of International Law

Associate Professor Razeen Sally
Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
Chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka

Professor Tan Sor Hoon
Professor of Philosophy
Academic Director of Politics, Law and Economics (PLE) major
Lee Kong Chian Fellow, Singapore Management University