4 ms·

One thing open borders would completely destroy would be the social safety net of many countries. Let’s say there is completely open borders between Sweden and

One thing open borders would completely destroy would be the social safety net of many countries. Let’s say there is completely open borders between Sweden and the United States. Sweden has high taxes and an significant social safety net. The United States has low taxes and a non-existent safety net. Over time, people who pay a lot of taxes migrate from Sweden to the United States. People from the United States who are unable to work for whatever reason, migrate to Sweden. This would also affect government. You either end up with a large underclass that doesn’t have voting rights (see Qatar for example) or else they have voting rights and the laws of the receiving country change to reflect the culture of the immigrants.

sudhirj 8y ago
Taxes would likely change from income taxes to consumption and property taxes, so it’s unlikely that governments will go bankrupt. More attractive areas of the world will cost more to live in, but it would eventually turn into one large country with pockets of exclusive communities.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
krapp 8y ago
>People from the United States who are unable to work for whatever reason, migrate to Sweden. I think you're overestimating the number of Americans who would have the means to do so, despite not having an income.
- burfog 8y ago
  Hawaii buys 1-way tickets for homeless people. Picture that on a grand scale, with the United States buying 1-way tickets.
- imtringued 8y ago
  They would get the "means" in their destination country through welfare. That's the entire point.
  - krapp 8y ago
    But they wouldn't already have the means, unless welfare was somehow globally distributed and universal. Which would be a qualitatively better situation for everyone, so I don't see the problem in that case.
- RcouF1uZ4gsC 8y ago
  If you knew that someone would get a stipend for life, it works I’d be a viable business to them the money to relocate.

sudhirj 8y ago

Taxes would likely change from income taxes to consumption and property taxes, so it’s unlikely that governments will go bankrupt. More attractive areas of the world will cost more to live in, but it would eventually turn into one large country with pockets of exclusive communities.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

krapp 8y ago

>People from the United States who are unable to work for whatever reason, migrate to Sweden. I think you're overestimating the number of Americans who would have the means to do so, despite not having an income.

burfog 8y ago
Hawaii buys 1-way tickets for homeless people. Picture that on a grand scale, with the United States buying 1-way tickets.
imtringued 8y ago
They would get the "means" in their destination country through welfare. That's the entire point.
- krapp 8y ago
  But they wouldn't already have the means, unless welfare was somehow globally distributed and universal. Which would be a qualitatively better situation for everyone, so I don't see the problem in that case.
RcouF1uZ4gsC 8y ago
If you knew that someone would get a stipend for life, it works I’d be a viable business to them the money to relocate.