Wretched Refuse?: The Political Economy of Immigration and Institutions [Paperback]

An empirical investigation into the impact of immigration on institutions and prosperity.Establishes the economic case for free immigration by reviewing the predominant obstacle in its path: the notion that immigrants harm destination country institutions. Cross-country case-study evidence is utilised to reject this concept. This text will engage any reader curious about the relationship between immigration policy and economics.Establishes the economic case for free immigration by reviewing the predominant obstacle in its path: the notion that immigrants harm destination country institutions. Cross-country case-study evidence is utilised to reject this concept. This text will engage any reader curious about the relationship between immigration policy and economics.Economic arguments favoring increased immigration restrictions suggest that immigrants undermine the culture, institutions, and productivity of destination countries. But is this actually true? Nowrasteh and Powell systematically analyze cross-country evidence of potential negative effects caused by immigration relating to economic freedom, corruption, culture, and terrorism. They analyze case studies of mass immigration to the United States, Israel, and Jordan. Their evidence does not support the idea that immigration destroys the institutions responsible for prosperity in the modern world. This nonideological volume makes a qualified case for free immigration and the accompanying prosperity.Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; Part I. State of Debate: 2. An Economic Case for Free Immigration; 3. The New Economic Case for Immigration Restrictions; 4. Immigration's Impact on Productivity; Part II. Cross-Country Evidence: 5. Immigration's Impact on Economic Institutions; 6. Immigration's Impact on Corruption; 7. Immigration's Impact on Terrorism; 8. Immigration's Impact on Culture; Part III. Case Studies in Mass Immigration: 9. United States; 10. Israel; 11. Jordan; Part IV. Assessing the New Economic Case fol#§