Foot Voting and International Migration

Abstract

This chapter considers ways in which foot voting through international migration enhances political freedom. The potential benefits are greater than those of any other type of foot voting because of the vast differences in quality between different national governments. Expanding international foot-voting opportunities is literally a matter of life and death for millions. For the hundreds of millions who live in undemocratic nations, international migration is the only feasible mechanism for political choice. Free migration throughout the world could potentially double world GDP and vastly increase freedom of all kinds. The chapter addresses claims that the effectiveness of international foot voting is undermined by factors such as moving costs and inequality. These are real problems, but much can be done to mitigate them.