PORTFOLIO ENTRY #18.2

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ABOUT ALL THESE FENCES?

Sadly, walls are built for much the same set of reasons as ancient walls. We have defense walls against external threats of terrorism and infiltration by insurgents. There are walls that separate conflicting cultures and religions, walls that establish ownership of land, barriers that regulate trade, and fences that restrict migration of civilians. The attributes of walls have changed from earthwork, bricks and masonry to sophisticated structures that include concrete, razor wire, sensors, personnel, dogs, infrared equipment, patrol vehicles, drones, helicopters, planes and satellites. There are additional invisible walls made of legal and digital barriers to restrict the movement of goods and people, and maritime systems to detect unauthorized boats.

Like ancient walls, modern ‘security walls’ are only partially successful in accomplishing their goals. No physical barrier can provide effective protection against homegrown terrorists and modern weapons. No fortification can stop migrants who arrive by air and sea. No wall will reduce the drug flow when most of it crosses the border through legal entry points. More than ever before, walls today are politically motivated, reflecting signaling behavior by governments who wish to appear tough on immigration, and serving the interests of defense industries that stand to benefit from the projects. Economic literature overwhelmingly suggests that policies of more open borders, with less restrictive migration and trade, benefit domestic citizens more than walls. Economic policies are also more effective than walls in dealing with illegal trade and trafficking, while diplomacy is more effective than walls in addressing security. Ignoring rational economic thinking over populist politics comes at a price, a loss in well-being.