The Open Borders Claim in a Nonideal World

Abstract

Although many writers in political philosophy argue for open borders, the question of what this entails for nonideal worlds has not yet been adequately addressed. Two diverging positions can be discerned in the literature. On the one hand, writers such as Joseph Carens emphasize that borders should only be open under ideal circumstances, and that the Open Borders Claim does not at the present moment justify pursuing a political program. On the other hand, writers such as Andreas Cassee and Kieran Oberman argue that states should open their borders immediately to a great extent. This paper argues against both positions, and sets out an intermediate approach.