One-way routes complicate cooperation in migrant crises

Abstract

How can countries cooperate to shelter migrants? We use experimental economics to study the distinct challenges of cooperation in migrant crises. We designed an economic game, pass the buck, where participants are leaders of countries who decide whether to shelter migrants or pass them to the next country. We examine the difficulties posed by one-way migration and differences in wealth. We find that leaders sheltered migrants less often when they received them first on a one-way route, compared to when everyone received migrants at the same time. Moreover, the first leader became more likely to shelter migrants when the last country could return them to the first. When one country was wealthier, the wealthy leader sheltered more and the other leaders passed more. We discuss the implications for international cooperation in migrant crises.

Current Trends of the European Union Integration Policy As a Reaction to the Refugee and Migrant Crisis 2015

“…They continue to the countries of Western, Northern and Central Europe, where the quality of life is higher compared to Southern Europe. This style of migration management has generally been perceived negatively as unfair, and overall increases the costs associated with the immigration of foreigners (Del Ponte et al, 2021). Following the migration crisis and the Dublin Regulation, the overall number of asylum seekers has increased.…”