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Borderlines: The Edges of US Capitalism, Immigration, And Democracy
The current U.S. immigration nightmare is a product of capitalism. The familiar, heartbreaking stories of dangerous treks, migrant exploitation, asylum, family separation and detention all have their roots in the material conditions of the dominant economic system. Immigrants' place in American democracy has long been intertwined with questions of cheap labor and exploitation, sovereign power, and the preservation of class relations. Through different facets of the immigration system, Borderlines explores how power and profit are perpetuated by the divisions between migrant and citizen and the resulting dehumanization of both. It demonstrates the necessity of a radical working-class demand for economic and political justice across borders and the edges of democracy.
144 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 19, 2021
Fantastic and throughly researched synopsis of how capitalism is the root cause of many issues in our country, specifically the treatment and abuse of migrants. Completely eye opening in parts and incredibly informative. Will be revisiting again!
September 21, 2021
I was given a copy of this book to review for Areo magazine. Since apparently linking to your things elsewhere is allowed in reviews here, below is the beginning of my Areo review and a link to the rest of it.
In Borderlines, Daniel Melo exposes the unjust, inhumane and downright absurd position of immigrants in the United States, and offers an explanation for it. The arguments are not entirely novel, but here they are elaborated, substantiated and brought together. However, the book is a little short considering the breadth of its topic. Many arguments could be elaborated further, and though citations are provided for factual claims, the reader is sometimes left to take it on faith that the claim is adequately explained in the source.
Melo’s central thesis is that US immigration policy is primarily motivated by the need to use vulnerable immigrants as a source of low-cost labour—and that this follows inevitably from the logic of capitalism. Thus, in order to change the situation, capitalism itself must be confronted.
Borderlines examines the situation through three lenses: historical, contemporary and theoretical. The book contains several distressing stories of how individuals have been inhumanely treated by the US immigration system.
A lot more detail can be found at https://areomagazine.com/2021/09/14/b...
In Borderlines, Daniel Melo exposes the unjust, inhumane and downright absurd position of immigrants in the United States, and offers an explanation for it. The arguments are not entirely novel, but here they are elaborated, substantiated and brought together. However, the book is a little short considering the breadth of its topic. Many arguments could be elaborated further, and though citations are provided for factual claims, the reader is sometimes left to take it on faith that the claim is adequately explained in the source.
Melo’s central thesis is that US immigration policy is primarily motivated by the need to use vulnerable immigrants as a source of low-cost labour—and that this follows inevitably from the logic of capitalism. Thus, in order to change the situation, capitalism itself must be confronted.
Borderlines examines the situation through three lenses: historical, contemporary and theoretical. The book contains several distressing stories of how individuals have been inhumanely treated by the US immigration system.
A lot more detail can be found at https://areomagazine.com/2021/09/14/b...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews