The Ramparts of Nations - by Jeffrey M Togman (Hardcover)

About the Book

Togman provides a comparative analysis of French and U.S. immigration policies from 1945 to 2000. He explores why nations implement the immigration policies they do, why some governments allow or even encourage large-scale immigration while others restrict it, why some states shift from liberal to restrictive entry policies and vice versa.

Focusing on critical historical junctures, Togman illustrates how different institutional structures in France and the United States led these countries to implement divergent entry policies. Political institutions are shown to act as an intervening variable, helping determine what, if any, influence other factors such as economic conditions and cultural traditions have over a nation's immigration laws. Scholars and students of French politics, U.S. politics, comparative politics, and immigration policies will find this work helpful.

Book Synopsis

Togman provides a comparative analysis of French and U.S. immigration policies from 1945 to 2000. He explores why nations implement the immigration policies they do, why some governments allow or even encourage large-scale immigration while others restrict it, why some states shift from liberal to restrictive entry policies and vice versa.

Focusing on critical historical junctures, Togman illustrates how different institutional structures in France and the United States led these countries to implement divergent entry policies. Political institutions are shown to act as an intervening variable, helping determine what, if any, influence other factors such as economic conditions and cultural traditions have over a nation's immigration laws. Scholars and students of French politics, U.S. politics, comparative politics, and immigration policies will find this work helpful.

Review Quotes

?[a] most welcome contribution to the emprical study of immigration policy, as well as to the more general literature on the impact of political institutions.?-International Migration review

?[t]his is an important contribution to our understanding the role of political institutions in the development of immigration policy. This book is clearly written and relates a strong historical exposition to a clear analysis of the theoretical literature. More than most of the literature in this field, this fine study builds and expands on what we know and raises new questions that will be source of future research.?-Journal of American Ethnic History

?The Ramparts of Nations is a succinct and clearly articulated book that will be of benefit to those readers interested in immigration policy.?-American Political Science Review

"Ýa¨ most welcome contribution to the emprical study of immigration policy, as well as to the more general literature on the impact of political institutions."-International Migration review

"Ýt¨his is an important contribution to our understanding the role of political institutions in the development of immigration policy. This book is clearly written and relates a strong historical exposition to a clear analysis of the theoretical literature. More than most of the literature in this field, this fine study builds and expands on what we know and raises new questions that will be source of future research."-Journal of American Ethnic History

"[a] most welcome contribution to the emprical study of immigration policy, as well as to the more general literature on the impact of political institutions."-International Migration review

"The Ramparts of Nations is a succinct and clearly articulated book that will be of benefit to those readers interested in immigration policy."-American Political Science Review

"[t]his is an important contribution to our understanding the role of political institutions in the development of immigration policy. This book is clearly written and relates a strong historical exposition to a clear analysis of the theoretical literature. More than most of the literature in this field, this fine study builds and expands on what we know and raises new questions that will be source of future research."-Journal of American Ethnic History

About the Author

JEFFREY M. TOGMAN is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Seton Hall University. Professor Togman's work has been published in such journals as Oxford International Review, Conflict Management and Peace Science, and PS: Political Science and Politics.