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A nation is no less sovereign within open borders than closed. It is as much an exercise of sovereignty to permit the free movement of goods, capital and labour across our borders as it is to restrict them.

And yet, in the modern history of the world, that is not how these freedoms have been advanced. Rather, governments have sought to bind each other to do so by treaty. Or rather, governments have sought to be so bound. Instead of persuading voters that open borders are in their own interest, they have told them they have no choice: the leaders, as much as the voters.

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This approach — compulsory freedom — had the virtue, from the leaders’ point of view, of releasing them from all responsibility, or indeed logical consistency. They could be for free trade, but also against it. Do not blame me, they could say to this or that domestic interest. If it were up to me, the borders would remain closed. But my hands are tied. We have a treaty.