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J.K. Lund's avatar

Great summary of what it going on. Growing anti-immigration rhetoric and policies are one of the greatest threats to human progress going forward. The data are very clear, the free movement of people is generally is everyone's interest, including and especially, the receiving nation. It's deeply concerning to me that many simply get this wrong.

I think we may be able to soften some of the opposition through an immigration "tariff." That is, subject to health and background checks, people can move an immigrate freely, so long as they pay a fee or tariff. Crucially, that fee is scaled with age. It would allow more immigrants, raise billions, grow the economy and innovation, and eliminate virtually all illegal immigration. i discussed the merits of such a system here: https://www.lianeon.org/p/toward-an-optimal-immigration-system

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hw's avatar

So, national leaders will continue to demonize and scapegoat refugees and marginalized groups.

But, global warming catastrophes will accelerate, water scarcity will spread quickly, income inequality will traumatize a new generation, unregulated AI will disrupt the job market...what happens when citizens realize that the politics of cruelty doesn't help their lives?

Is the future filled with totalitarian regimes? Even then, how long is that sustainable?

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