Thinking Migration: Political Realism in the Age of International Migration Law

This course explores the philosophical underpinnings of migration, specifically the political and legal factors that shape the movements of people, their premises, and the responses thereof. It will focus on “political realism” and its conceptual basis, as one of the major influences of migration policies, leading to what one could call a “migration realism”.

Political realism has long been a subject of debate in normative political theory, with some arguing it has little to offer in terms of new perspectives, and others criticizing it on the grounds that it threatens the international legal order. Such viewpoints often forbid new avenues for thought: a political-realist take on the concept of migration can actually provide critical insights as regards international migration law, and help call into question its commonly held assumptions. In that regard, there have been significant political-realist contributions to the current discourse on migration, some challenging very convincingly the link between moral principles and normativity: these contributions can become excellent tools to uncover the political powers that often creep under normative facades.

This course will include discussions on historical examples, short documentaries, as well as an analysis of the current debates and challenges in the field of migration. Participants will exercise their minds and share their thoughts on concepts such as nationalism, liberal nationalism, cosmopolitanism, state sovereignty, the free movement of people across national borders, as well as the "state of exception", exploring how exceptional situations lead to legally unsanctioned restrictions on migration.