International Politics, Vol. No. 4 abstracts International Politics , Vol. Substantial evidence is found in UN resolutions and related documents to infer a trend towards greater consideration of refugees when deciding about intervention. That refugees pose threats to others, not solely or principally their own suffering, continues to dominate multilateral decisions to intervene.
Many asylum seekers have weak or fraudulent claims to protection.
In response, industrialized countries have undertaken a variety of unilateral initiatives aimed at reducing problems stemming from flows of asylum seekers. This article analyzes policy changes in Australia, Canada, the United States and Germany. While many of the measures adopted are restrictive, the most worrisome changes are those that deny asylum seekers access to the system. The new policies face challenges in domestic courts, from other states, of public opinion and, ultimately, of effectiveness. As refugees increasingly occupy a more visible place in the global landscapes, conventional studies focus on refugee-producing situations and circumstances.