Economization and reception of refugees: between rational maximization and public policy

The reception of refugees from the Middle East is putting a strain on policies and rights that seemed well-established in Europe. Free movement between countries, the right to asylum, as well as civil and social freedoms that, at least on paper, seemed to be universally accepted rights, suddenly appear to no longer be available. Or they still are available, but only in part or only for some people. It is evident that the idea of universal or at least national, and inviolable human rights is in contrast to the attempt to block these boats in the middle of the Mediterranean, reject refugees in war and persecution zones, or concentrate them at the border. This seems to be very far from the “old” ideas of liberty, equality and even farther from that of fraternity. However, the fear of losing one’s identity as well as one’s sense of security, no matter how irrational, can take over and create harebrained policies that are more attentive to riding the wave of popular fear than to building an unavoidably common future.