Book, Strangers at our door[LS]

A current and necessary reflection on the refugee crisis. As we witness a huge increase in the number of refugees knocking on Europe's doors in search of asylum, walls are hastily erected to prevent them. In this brief and timely book, Zygmunt Bauman analyzes the origins, contours, and impact of the fear that something terrible could threaten the well-being of society. The author dissects the fear caused by migration and the process of dehumanization of newcomers. It also shows how politicians have exploited widespread fears and anxieties, especially among those who have already lost so much - the excluded and the poor. Much more than a migration crisis, we are experiencing a humanitarian crisis, says Bauman. And the only way to escape is to reject the treacherous temptations of separation, recognize our growing interdependence as a species, and find new ways of living together in solidarity and cooperation with those who may have opinions or preferences different from ours. Instead of walls, we need to build bridges.