From borders management to the narrative of Europe as solidarity center

Since 2000, migration politics have been deeply influenced by the doctrine of migration management. Migration management seems to offer policies without politics, merely focused on the efficient control of migratory flows. However, far from being neutral, migration management follows on from the historical colonial past of Europe. Based on philosophical field inquiries at the british-french border and along the river Evros in Turkey, this paper argues that the doctrine of migration management has become a rhetoric which accompanies migration politics, masking repression and border violences. This doctrine and its euphemistic effects are involved in the elaboration of the narrative of a virtuous Europe, presenting the humanitarian management of migrations as a strong sign of Europe’s solidarity.