Eine Rede an Europa – Lea Ypi – 2025

Migration is not a cultural problem but a symptom of the crisis of liberal democracy and global capitalism. The current political discourse, which categorizes migrants as "good" or "bad" based on their economic utility, reflects a failure to uphold universal humanistic values. By commodifying citizenship—selling it to the wealthy while restricting the vulnerable—states reinforce class-based exploitation rather than fostering equality. True progress requires rejecting the rhetoric of civilizational superiority and addressing the root causes of migration, such as war, economic instability, and health inequities. Drawing on the Enlightenment spirit of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, the focus must shift from policing borders to building a global order that guarantees freedom for all, rather than preserving the privileges of a few.