Why do some nations help refugees while others turn them away?

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The global refugee system isn't just a humanitarian failure; it is a complex 'suasion game.' Political scientist Alexander Betts reveals how international cooperation depends on asymmetric power dynamics, where Northern donor states and Southern host states bargain over interests like security, development, and migration policy.

To overcome this, nations often connect refugee aid to strategic policy fields where they have specific interests, such as national security or economic development goals.

Betts also explores 'survival migration'—the movement of people fleeing serious harm who do not fit the strict legal definitions of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees. His research in East Africa shows that when legal norms are ambiguous, elite political interests determine who is included or excluded from protection. This highlights how governance failures in fragile states like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo create new drivers of displacement.

A significant shift in Betts' work involves reframing refugees as economic contributors rather than just beneficiaries. He advocates for a development-based approach that builds on the skills and aspirations of displaced people. A prime example is the 'Jordan Compact,' an economic experiment where Syrian refugees were granted 200,000 work permits in Jordan to work in Special Economic Zones—a model supported by the UK, the EU, and the World Bank.

Furthermore, Betts highlights the agency of refugees themselves through his study of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs). He argues that these groups often bypass formal humanitarian governance to create their own transnational networks. By focusing on socio-economic inclusion—supported by longitudinal studies in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda—Betts seeks to reconcile the tension between national interests and the fundamental rights of displaced people.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Refugees are not an inevitable cost but a source of untapped potential
• The UN refugee agency was meant to close after three years
• Can legal frameworks provide a reliable bridge for the world's displaced populations?
• Why 117 million people are currently living away from their homes by force
• Refugee entrepreneurs are not just aid recipients; they are engines of local economic growth.
• From ancient hunting to modern warfare, the ambush remains the ultimate tactical equalizer.
• The AK-74: How a Soviet design shift redefined the modern infantry assault rifle
• In 2002, the U.S. Army launched a video game to recruit and train soldiers.
• The export rifle designed to bridge global military gaps
• How the American Psychological Association became the world's largest authority on the human mind.
• Airborne forces were once envisioned as a way to rain ten thousand men from clouds.
• How a Japanese design innovation transformed the course of World War II amphibious warfare

More in War and military · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics