Justice, Migration, and Mercy

The literature on migration in political philosophy is by now mature, and well-trodden argumentative paths map the contours of its central questions. This makes it all the more impressive that Michael Blake's Justice, Migration, and Mercy manages to navigate those questions in a novel and genuinely distinctive way, as well as to chart out new routes for exploration in the terrain of debate. It will prove valuable to both students of migration in political philosophy, for the lucidity with which it approaches its central questions and relates them to contemporary migration politics (especially in the USA), and to partisans in the debates in which Blake engages, for the original perspective that it articulates and for Blake's thoughtful engagement with his interlocuters. * Jamie Draper, Res Publica *
What is unique about Blake's book is that he goes beyond justice to argue that mercy creates other obligations for us to take care of other people, regardless of whether those people have rights in justice to that sort of care. It is a strength of his book that it inspires us to think beyond simply what liberal states must do to avoid being unjust, to the virtues that such states ought to cultivate to become morally better political communities. * Renée Nicole Souris, Philosophia *
In conclusion, Michael Blake's new book is a relevant contribution to the migration ethicsliterature to the extent that it introduces a major challenge to the open borders position whileinviting migration scholars to get rid of the restraints of justice by enriching their moral vocabulary. * Mario Josue Cunningham Matamoros, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice *
Michael Blake's book offers a distinctive and illuminating perspective on questions about immigration. Blake is a well known political philosopher, and this book has his characteristic clarity, precision, and sharpness. The book is aimed at a wider audience than his fellow philosophers, however. It is filled with examples, stories, and links to current political debates that will help ordinary readers to understand why it is important both to reflect carefully about highly contested issues and to expand the moral vocabulary that dominates conventional discussions of immigration. It is an engaging and provocative read. * Joseph H. Carens, Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto *
In the increasingly polarized literature on migration, Blake's approach will be controversial. The book defends some bracing conclusions: Blake argues that would not be unjust for the state to deport undocumented migrants, to prevent the spouses and family members of its own citizens from settling, and to close its borders to all would-be migrants except refugees (though these acts would be unmerciful). Still, even those who disagree (as I do) with these policy conclusions will find the book of considerable philosophical interest. Blake connects migration ethics to a broader picture of what states owe members and outsiders in a world structured as a system of separate legal jurisdictions. This is a real innovation in the migration literature, and an idea worth building upon. * Anna Stilz, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
For several years Michael Blake has been among the most important contributors to the philosophical literature on immigration. This book is therefore greatly anticipated and develops a number of fruitful arguments....[T]his is one of the most important books on immigration policy in the past few years and should be read by those with an interest in the topic, as well as by people hoping to develop accounts of virtues other than justice in political philosophy. * Matt Lister, Ethics *