GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Striking a Balance Between Security and Freedom

Feb 4, 2017 | 14:12 GMT

A map of Syrian refugee flows hangs at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 18. Throughout history, collective blame and punishment have forced people to flee their homes en masse in search of freedom and safety.

A map of Syrian refugee flows hangs at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 18. Throughout history, collective blame and punishment have forced people to flee their homes en masse in search of freedom and safety.

(FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Collective guilt is all too common throughout history, regardless of whether punishment is meted out because of political, economic or religious differences. The Jews, cruelly oppressed by Pharaoh. The Christians, persecuted by Nero. The consequences of collective blame and punishment -- people leaving their homes en masse in search of freedom and safety -- are also familiar. We see them today as people flee Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and as refugees flood into Europe or knock at America's door. Can looking back inform our present and mitigate the problems ahead?...

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