John Lloyd analyses shifting debates over immigration

In an opinion piece for Reuters (14 May), John Lloyd describes the evolving politics of what he calls a new era of immigration.

John notes that historically advanced economies have taken in immigrant labour to do the work which natives were reluctant to do; that which was too hard, too cheap or too dangerous for the locals. Today, however, Western immigration policies are increasingly seeking out immigrant elites in a global competition for talent. Yet as Western countries seek to attract highly skilled workers, emerging economies are also hoping to convince their best and brightest to stay home and contribute to economic development.

John writes, The hunt for clever people is globalized: Universities, companies, even government bureaucracies seek them here and seek them there. The needs of the developed world and the greater needs of the developing world now conflict.

The article can be read in full here.