Human Capital

A History of Putting Refugees to Work

By Laura Robson | Publisher: Verso Books

About the book

HOW GLOBAL HUMANITARIANISM TURNS REFUGEES INTO CHEAP LABOR

Historian Laura Robson unveils the dark heart of our purportedly humanitarian international regime. Tracing the century-long history of attempts to remake refugees into disposable migrant labor, Robson elucidates global humanitarianism’s deep-seated commitment to refugee exploitation and containment.

Surveying more than a hundred years of policy across the globe, Robson captures the travails of Balkan refugees in the late Ottoman Empire, Roosevelt’s secret plans to use German Jewish refugees as laborers in Latin America, and contemporary European efforts to deploy Syrians as low-wage workers in remote regions of Jordan.

The advent of internationalist refugee aid has long been told as an inspirational story in which reformers fought tirelessly for a system that would recognize and guarantee the rights of displaced and dispossessed people. But as Robson demonstrates, the motives behind modern refugee policy can be mercenary. Refugees have become easy prey for global industrial capitalism.

Editions of Human Capital

Hardcover
ISBN 9781804290217
EBook
ISBN 9781804290248

Read an Excerpt

HOW GLOBAL HUMANITARIANISM TURNS REFUGEES INTO CHEAP LABOR

Historian Laura Robson unveils the dark heart of our purportedly humanitarian international regime. Tracing the century-long history of attempts to remake refugees into disposable migrant labor, Robson elucidates global humanitarianism’s deep-seated commitment to refugee exploitation and containment.

Surveying more than a hundred years of policy across the globe, Robson captures the travails of Balkan refugees in the late Ottoman Empire, Roosevelt’s secret plans to use German Jewish refugees as laborers in Latin America, and contemporary European efforts to deploy Syrians as low-wage workers in remote regions of Jordan.

The advent of internationalist refugee aid has long been told as an inspirational story in which reformers fought tirelessly for a system that would recognize and guarantee the rights of displaced and dispossessed people. But as Robson demonstrates, the motives behind modern refugee policy can be mercenary. Refugees have become easy prey for global industrial capitalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Human Capital about?

HOW GLOBAL HUMANITARIANISM TURNS REFUGEES INTO CHEAP LABOR

Historian Laura Robson unveils the dark heart of our purportedly humanitarian international regime. Tracing the century-long history of attempts to remake refugees into disposable migrant labor, Robson elucidates global humanitarianism’s deep-seated commitment to refugee exploitation and containment.

Surveying more than a hundred years of policy across the globe, Robson captures the travails of Balkan refugees in the late Ottoman Empire, Roosevelt’s secret plans to use German Jewish refugees as laborers in Latin America, and contemporary European efforts to deploy Syrians as low-wage workers in remote regions of Jordan.

The advent of internationalist refugee aid has long been told as an inspirational story in which reformers fought tirelessly for a system that would recognize and guarantee the rights of displaced and dispossessed people. But as Robson demonstrates, the motives behind modern refugee policy can be mercenary. Refugees have become easy prey for global industrial capitalism.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Human Capital?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government > Central / national / federal government policies

Where can I read a sample of Human Capital?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781804290217

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Human Capital?

Laura Robson

Who is the Publisher of the book Human Capital?

Verso Books

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Human Capital is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781804290217) and ebook(ISBN 9781804290248)

Where can I buy Human Capital online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Human Capital from below

Where can I buy Human Capital?