Carson Cole DTC 375

The authors begin this section by laying out three important ideas for reforming the way we deal with refugees: Creating specific and achievable objectives, assigning responsibility by deciding who will do what in order to meet those objectives, and creating or reforming organizations that will facilitate assigning responsibility and meeting goals. They then explain how the Syrian refugee crisis could have been mitigated if their proposed vision existed at the time, as well as how it could mitigate future and present crises like in Kenya. They conclude by addressing potential points of criticism, such as preventing economic exploitation and the difference between voluntary migrants and refugees. 1. With the current crisis somewhat under control - at least from the European point of view - European leaders seem content to maintain the status quo. What needs to be done to encourage immediate change? 2. Should preventative action, i.e. intervening in the affairs of states with potenti...

The first topic discussed in this section was how integrating refugees into the economies of host countries, such as in Uganda, has been beneficial for both the refugees and the citizens of that country. The authors then explain how international businesses and governments can work in tandem to create employment opportunities in host countries, potentially benefiting everyone involved. Finally, they propose several ideas that could facilitate rebuilding nations post-crisis and mitigate the chances of those nations once again falling into crisis. 1. How can we as consumers encourage businesses to invest in recovering countries? 2. One of the problems raised in this section was the most wealthy and educated Syrian refugees fleeing en masse to Europe. Should measures be taken to allow the most needy, rather than the most affluent, entrance to these countries?

This section begins with an examination of the moral obligations of countries that accept refugees, as well as the rights that those people fleeing their home countries should possess. The basic conclusion the authors arrive at is that the moral obligation of haven countries should be to restore the quality of life of refugees to its pre-flight condition. The final section makes the case for vastly improving the quality of aid given to refugees who settle in regions close to their home region, these regions host the greatest number of refugees who are generally more vulnerable and needy than the those who can afford the trip to wealthier countries. 1. The book stresses the importance of refugees returning to their country to rebuild post-conflict/crisis. Is it the moral obligation of a refugee to return home if they have the opportunity to instead remain in a more stable and wealthy country? 2. How can global cooperation prevent refugees from being used as 'bargaining chips...

The start of this section covers the UNHCR's attempts to adapt their methods of aiding refugees to present day circumstances, as well as the many shortcomings of those attempts. Next, several European policies, such as opening the borders of the Schengen area, are discussed and provide a framework for how the current refugee crisis came to be. Then, the authors examine the responses by European countries to the sudden influx of refugees, and the domino effect ramifications of those responses. Finally, the political, religious, and cultural causes of the conflict in Syria and the Middle East are detailed. 1. A common theme in this section is unintended consequences. How should policy decisions regarding refugees be made to prevent unintentional harm? 2. Several problems arose in this section when European countries agreed on policy in theory, but applied those policies very differently from one another in practice. Should global standards for policies, such as who is recognized ...

This section begins with an explanation of how the refugee system that has existed since the 1940s has not managed to appropriately adapt and respond to the changing world we live in and crises we have to manage. The authors go on to lay out the causes of mass displacement, the main catalyst being fragile states that cannot maintain order devolving into mass violence. They conclude by listing examples of several of the leading origin countries of refugees, and explaining the difference between migrants seeking "honeypot" nations and refugees fleeing to "haven" nations. 1. In the book, it notes that the vast majority of individuals displaced from their homes remain in their home country - Would it be more effective to provide an avenue for these people to come to wealthy countries, or for those wealthy countries to provide aid and assistance to the displaced people in their original countries? 2. An inevitable conflict, and one that we already see, is wealthy and...