Date of Award
Spring 2008
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Price, Jessica
Second Advisor
LeBlanc, Lawrence
Abstract
"Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution" (Article 14.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Asylum policy has undergone many reforms since its birth with the Refugee Convention that was drafted in 1951 and entered into in force in April 1954. This qualitative study focuses on the apparent recent trend in advanced industrialized countries to make asylum policy increasingly more restrictive. I examine comparatively the institution of asylum in the three advanced industrialized states that accept the largest numbers of refugees, which are Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. In this study I address three principle issues. The first is the efficacy of the advanced industrialized states in question at performing the intended function of asylum. I identify that a common factor in asylum policy reforms is increased restrictions, which all appear to be manifested within economic concerns. The second matter I study is common motivating factors as to why people migrate, and I identify that economic issues are frequently present but I discount this as a justification for restricting asylum policy. Finally I speculate on potential methods of resolving the issue and propose some reforms to asylum policy that could improve its efficacy at performing the intended function.
Recommended Citation
Innes, Alexandria J., "Protection or Persecution?: A Comparative Study of Asylum Policy in the U.S., Britain and Germany" (2008). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 2063.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/2063