03.06.2024
Working Paper

How and Why “Ideas Travel” in Migration Law and Policy

This chapter provides an introduction to the study of comparative immigration law through the lens of diffusion. The diffusion perspective invites us to ask how and why “ideas travel” across jurisdictions and to trace the complex ways in which states are interacting with one another in shaping their own borders and membership boundaries. We refer to diffusion as the process through which policy choices in one country affect those made in other countries, and the resulting spread and adaption of law and policy across jurisdictions. In Part 1, we take a transdisciplinary approach to identify several explanatory mechanisms and provide a categorization of rationales that may lead law and policymakers to look “elsewhere” as they contemplate which changes and policies to adopt “here.” In Part 2, we set out several case studies to contextualize and illustrate the themes discussed in Part 1. First, we elaborate on patterns of diffusion that create a “race to the top” as states compete to lure sought-after migrants, including the highly skilled, and, increasingly, the ultra-rich as well. We then shift the focus to the diffusion of restrictive border control policies which create a “race to the bottom” as states compete to deter asylum seekers and other “undesirable” migrants. Finally, we step back in time to trace the spread of Chinese exclusion laws across white settler states in the late 19th and early 20th century to demonstrate that diffusion has been occurring for as long as states have been attempting to exclude certain migrants while seeking to draw others.

News from the research center

Event
15.10.2025 | Frankfurt am Main

Aufrecht. Überleben im Zeitalter der Extreme

Book Presentation

In ihrem jüngsten Werk begibt sich Lea Ypi auf eine Reise in die Vergangenheit ihrer Familie und verknüpft persönliche Erinnerungen mit den großen politischen und gesellschaftlichen Umbrüchen des 20. Jahrhunderts. Das Forschungszentrum Normative Ordnungen lädt gemeinsam mit dem Netzwerk FrauenmitFormat, dem Honorarkonsulat der Republik Albanien in Frankfurt am Main und dem Suhrkamp Verlag herzlich zur Vorstellung des neuen Buches von Prof. Dr. Lea Ypi mit anschließender Diskussionsrunde mit Prof. Dr. Lea Ypi, Honorarkonsulin Dr. Jonela Hoxhaj und Prof. Dr. Rainer Forst unter der Moderation von Rebecca C. Schmidt ein.

more information ›
Publication
02.09.2025 | Journal article

Beyond Myth Busting: How Engagement with Ethical Dilemmas Can Improve Debates and Policymaking on Migration

Schmid, Lukas; Ruhs, Martin; Bauböck, Rainer; Mourão Permoser, Julia (2025): "Beyond Myth Busting: How Engagement with Ethical Dilemmas Can Improve Debates and Policymaking on Migration". In: Ethics & International Affairs, 39 (1), S. 26-36.

more information ›
Publication
01.09.2025 | Journal article

Roundtable: Ethical Dilemmas and Migration Policymaking

Schmid, Lukas; Ruhs, Martin; Bauböck Rainer, Mourão Permoser, Julia (Hrsg.) (2025): "Roundtable: Ethical Dilemmas and Migration Policymaking". In: Ethics & International Affairs, 39 (1)

more information ›
Event
17.09.2025 | Frankfurt am Main

Frieden retten! Friedensgutachten 2025

Book Presentation

Der Frieden ist auf dem Rückzug: Russlands Krieg in der Ukraine destabilisiert Europa, der Krieg in Gaza stürzt den Nahen Osten in Leid und Gewalt, und im Sudan hat der Konflikt die größte humanitäre Katastrophe der Welt ausgelöst. Zugleich fällt der globale Stabilitätsanker USA aus. Das Friedensgutachten 2025 zeigt, warum Europa selbst für seine Sicherheit und Verteidigung sorgen und zugleich am Ziel des Friedens festhalten muss.

more information ›
News
31.07.2025

Shaping the future - a review

As part of the exhibition "Fixing Futures. Planetary futures between speculation and control", our four-part lecture series "Shaping the future - between climate change, technology and social responsibility" took place.

more information ›
News
30.07.2025

What remains of "1968" - event review

What can we learn from the 1968 movement for our own time and where do we perhaps need new ideas and utopias? The event "Utopia and awakening of the 1968ers - What remains of political rebellion and individual self-liberation" on July 14, 2025 at the Historisches Museum was dedicated to these questions

more information ›
News
10.07.2025

Impressions from the Crisis Talk "Europe in a multipolar world"

The Crisis Talk "Europe in a multipolar world - How can the EU meet the challenges of major powers?" held on July 1, 2025 at the Representation of the State of Hesse to the European Union was dedicated to the question of how the EU should shape its influence and assume its responsibilities in this international environment.

more information ›
News
08.07.2025

Reflections on the defense of democracy - Two crises of democracy

The challenges are global, but we still act nationally. In addition, we lack the terms to orient ourselves politically and normatively. An article by Rainer Forst in the FR about the two crises of democracy.

more information ›
News
01.07.2025

How the erosion of modern governments threatens our future - Impressions from Jeffrey Kopstein's lecture

On June 16, Jeffrey Kopstein, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, gave a public lecture entitled "Trump and the Assault on the State" at the Research Centre Normative Orders. The starting point of his presentation was the observation that attacks on modern statehood are increasing in many countries: Politicians are coming to power who deliberately want to weaken or even destroy central institutions.

more information ›