Gil Loescher, Refugees: A Very Short Introduction

Excerpt

Refugees: A Very Short Introduction is one of the titles of the ‘Very Short Introduction’ series published by Oxford University Press since 1995. These books offer primers to a wide range of subjects with the purpose of reaching as many readers as possible. Gil Loescher, a pioneer in refugees studies and international relations, provides a perfect example of what this series is supposed to be. The author gives an overview of refugees providing a much needed context to a topic that has become one of the hallmarks of our times. In seven short chapters, the author answers essential questions such as Who are refugees? What differentiates refugees from asylum seekers and other migrants? Where do refugees come from? Why do they leave their countries? Why should we help them? Will refugees ever stop coming to our country? This book serves as a good reference for those who wish to inform themselves about the topic. It also helps to dispel many of the common misunderstandings that surround refugees. Overall, Gil Loescher manages to explain concisely the plight of those who are forced to abandon their homelands and the failure of the international community to protect them and provide long lasting solutions to their situations. …