Class 18 - A World Without Borders

Checking in

Let’s check in first!

Welcome back!

In this session, we’re going to ask a big question: do we need borders?

As you have seen, Reece Jones’s book argues that borders are in any way “natural”. Instead of protecting us against violence, borders produce violence. They create inequalities and imbalances that lead to the movement of goods, drugs, peoples, weapons and money.

Writing Exercise

Write for 5 minutes on the topic of: “In praise of borders.” Now write for 5 minutes on the topic of: “Against borders.”

Breakout groups

I’m now going to get you to talk in groups about the Reece Jones chapter. This is only the first chapter of his book, so the argument is not fully developed, but it gives us enough to go on.

1. “The hardening of the border through new security practices is the source of the violence, not a response to it.” Is this true?
2. Why is human movement a threat to state power?
3. What are the different ways in which states control who crosses their borders?
4. The last two decades have seen a massive global increase in building border-walls. Why do you think this is? And what are the implications of this?
5. Finally, are borders necessary? Why? Or why not?

Discussion

We’ll have time to talk about this before the break.

Break

A World Without Borders

Now, we’re going to try an experiment. I’m going to put you into four groups. In each group, we are going to ask the question “What would a world without borders be like?”

1. Government Officials: How would you manage resources, enforce laws, or maintain order without borders?
2. Refugees: Would a borderless world help or hinder your safety and stability?
3. Rural settled populations: How would open borders impact your local economy or way of life?
4. Environmental Activists: How might borders affect environmental protection? Would a borderless world improve or worsen ecological preservation?

I’ll assign you to a group at random. In each group, discuss what the advantages and drawbacks of having no borders might be.

We’ll report back afterwards!

Homework

For the next session, we’re going to start looking at cross-border solidarity, by exploring Susan Banki’s paper on art and transnational solidarity.