Backlash on Open Borders

Germany had several state elections over the weekend.  The big (relative) winner was the AfD – Alternative for Germany (Deutschland) – party.

The party is led by an individual who has suggested German border guards should open fire on illegal immigrants.

This is consistent with one of my contentions: open borders in a world of decisions forced by the state leads to conflict and a reduction in liberty.  A state with the power to shoot illegal immigrants (as if this isn’t horrendous enough) has the power to shoot you. 

It is easy to talk about open borders in theory (albeit open borders is bad libertarian theory).  Applying libertarian theory in this world – a world with borders managed by states – presents many challenges.  I argue that there is no “pure” libertarian answer possible.

But “open borders” is not even consistent with libertarian theory.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I manage the borders to my property.  I cannot think of any interpretation of libertarian theory that comes to another conclusion.

The only alternative to open borders isn’t closed borders.  And neither of these two respects the right – grounded in libertarian theory – for the property owner to decide.

In any case, the AfD is one backlash.