Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration

An Economist “Our Books of the Year” Selection

Economist Bryan Caplan makes a bold case for unrestricted immigration in this fact-filled graphic nonfiction.

American policy-makers have long been locked in a heated battle over whether, how many, and what kind of immigrants to allow to live and work in the country. Those in favor of welcoming more immigrants often cite humanitarian reasons, while those in favor of more restrictive laws argue the need to protect native citizens.

But economist Bryan Caplan adds a new, compelling perspective to the immigration debate: He argues that opening all borders could eliminate absolute poverty worldwide and usher in a booming worldwide economy—greatly benefiting humanity.

With a clear and conversational tone, exhaustive research, and vibrant illustrations by Zach Weinersmith, Open Borders makes the case for unrestricted immigration easy to follow and hard to deny.

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Published Oct 29, 2019

256 pages

Average rating: 10

1 RATING

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Community Reviews

Tezriana
Mar 24, 2025
10/10 stars
A friend recommended this book to me, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a graphic novel, a medium I hadn't explored much before. As someone without a strong preconceived opinion on the topic, I approached it with an open mind.

What struck me most about this book was the author's ability to make a compelling case for open borders while methodically addressing objections one by one. The format of a graphic novel made the complex subject matter accessible and easy to consume.

While the arguments presented are convincing, there were moments when I wished for a deeper dive into the sources to substantiate these claims. Fortunately, the author provides an extensive list of notes and citations at the end of the book for further exploration.

Whether you're a seasoned advocate for open borders or someone like me, entering the discussion without a fixed opinion, this graphic novel provides valuable insights and is sure to spark thoughtful conversations.

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