Book Review: Democratic Drain: Global Migration and the Struggle for Democracy

Balkan Insight has published a review  Valery Perry wrote on Justin Gest’s book, Democratic Drain: Global Migration and the Struggle for Democracy. The book is interesting in looking at the phenomenon of people making the choice to leave their country based not purely on economic motivations, but because they want to live in a society that respects and is grounded in democratic values like good governance, human rights and anti-corruption.

Gest explores a number of cases around the world and combines in depth interviews with a wide variety of quantitative data. It’s worth reading as once again immigration is in the news and a familiar talking point for those who in particular want to stoke polarization and fear of “the other.”

Even more importantly, it’s a reminder of why, until recently, successful democratic countries invested in democracy support and promotion around the world; an approach grounded in comprehensive security that has unfortunately been increasingly squeezed out by zero-sum and short-term realpolitik thinking.

August 12, 2026 - Valery Perry