Zuwanderung: Pro und contra. Selektiv oder bedingungslos?

The dominant motive of migrants is to improve their well-being. But one may raise the question whether migration also serves the interests of the countries of destination, of the countries of origin, or of man-kind. Some of these interests might be incompatible. Here, the focus is on three arguments in favour of migration from poor to rich countries. It is a questionable proposition that greying societies need immi-grants. It is true, however, that immigration contributes to productivity growth and to the growth of the global economy, and that open borders promote liberty. Rich country fears of increasing poverty and inequality because of immigration are exaggerated. More important might be the social and cultural con-sequences of immigration by unskilled people. Democracies cannot easily live with undesired immigra-tion. Problems of integration get worse if there is chain migration, if many immigrants come from a single country and wherever there is much cultural distance between the countries of origin and destination. (Original text only available in german language)