About “Popular by Design”

I’m a political science professor who has been thinking and writing about migration politics for more than a decade. My new book, In Our Interest: How Democracies Can Make Immigration Popular, distills years of data and frustration into one core insight: no democracy has ever eased widespread immigration concerns without securing its borders and being selective about whom it admits. Persuasion through better messaging alone doesn’t cut it—what wins voters’ trust are better policies.

While I believe deeply in the transformative power of human mobility, I also think it can be so much better than it is today. My research also convinces me that a durable, broad‑based consensus on immigration requires compromise. Even the best possible message will not convert everyone. So getting to a better place isn’t just about sharper talking points—it’s about crafting policies that are popular by design. This newsletter aims to highlight such innovative, often‑overlooked solutions that make immigration both more functional and politically sustainable.

If you’re interested in immigration policies that actually win and keep public support, as well as the best social science research behind it, I hope you’ll subscribe. If you want me to spotlight any particular policy or political quirk on immigration or adjacent areas, let me know, too. I look forward to the conversation!

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