The Perils of Diversity: Immigration and Human Nature

by Byron M. Roth

Byron M. Roth argues that the current debate over immigration policy is unlikely to produce a satisfying outcome since it takes place uninformed by the science of human nature. Any policy of mass immigration will be profoundly constrained by fundamental features of human psychology, prominent among them is a natural bias toward one’s own kind and a wariness and suspicion of – if not hostility towards – others. The prospect for social harmony in multi-ethnic societies is thus problematic at best, and difficulties are compounded when groups differ in ability and temperament in non-trivial ways.

Roth explores the history of immigration to the United States, revealing that the earlier, pre-war immigration experience was so different from current patterns that it cannot provide a useful template for understanding and assessing them. In addition, Roth addresses the disturbingly undemocratic nature of the regime of mass immigration imposed by authorities on the citizens of all Western nations in defiance of their clearly expressed wishes. He shows that the chasm between elite views and public opinion is so deep that current policies can only be maintained by an increasingly totalitarian suppression of dissent that undermines the very foundations of Western society.

Genres: Race, Politics, Nonfiction, Science, Psychology

577 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Byron M. Roth is Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Dowling College. He received his BA from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. from the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research. His work has appeared in The Journal of Conflict Resolution, The Public Interest, Academic Questions and Encounter. His previous books include, Decision Making, Its Logic and Practice, co-authored with John D. Mullen and Prescription for Failure: Race Relations in the Age of Social Science. The latter was described by the editors of the journal Political Psychology as a book of major importance to the science and the applications of political psychology.

Reviews

[Zoltan Schreter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

This is a timely and excellent summary of the perils mass migration can bring to Western societies. It is distinguished by a very good style and scholarly objectivity.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book goes from one topic to the next without really drawing strong connections between what is being discussed and the subject of immigration. It suffers from a lack of focus and needs to be tied together better. I found the writing style to be on the dry side.

I wouldn't recommend this to those who only have a casual interest in the subject, but to political/genetic junkies there might be something of interest.