Two weeks ago The Overpopulation Project researchers published an opinion piece in Svenska Dagbladet titled “Environmental concerns call for reduced immigration”. In it we discussed the demographic implications of Swedish immigration policy and considered the potential environmental impacts of future population growth.
Our essay called forth numerous thoughtful responses, including a joint reply by 41 colleagues here at Gothenburg University and around Sweden, published in ETC Göteborg, titled “Incorrect and unethical reasoning about migration”.
This reply raised a number of important questions. Among the most important: what is the best ethical framework within which to discuss proper immigration policy? Our initial, brief response to this question, a letter to colleagues, can be found here, and a published response in ETC Göteborg can be found here. We believe one key is balancing our ethical responsibilities as citizens of particular nations with our responsibilities as citizens of the world.
What do you think is the proper ethical framework for making immigration policy and other governmental policy choices? We welcome your comments.
