Borders are artificial and man-made constructions. A line is drawn in the sand, across which your foe, whether it be an illegal immigrant or otherwise, is not allowed to step. If your foe crosses the line he is invariably arrested and thrown back to the otherside of the line.
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But who decides where they're drawn? Most borders are historical accidents, although in the case of Britain the sea did the job for us. But take the UK, who decided where to draw the line across Ireland? Was a good idea? Probably not. But then, that's borders for you - seldom drawn in the right place. If you're looking for a future example, where is the line going to be drawn between Israel and Palestine?
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So, it seems border lines are fairly arbitrary where the sea isn't involved. So what's the point of them? Well, apart from excluding foes, borders between countries define inhabitants of geographical areas. National identities create a common bond amongst citizens and a sense of belonging.
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Take me as an example. As a Briton, I immediately have a bond with other Brits simple by dint of our nationality. We may have nothing else in common, but our nationality binds us together; it is the social glue which, although leaving us artificially bound together in a sometimes uncomfortable and sticky mess, allows us to have one thing in common - the nation state. This is undoubtably good for those on the right side of the border in a peaceful democracy, which covers every country currently in the EU.
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Can the same be said of the European Union? Am I "European" and do I have a common "European" bond with inhabitants of the other 26 member states? Yes, because like other "Europeans" I don't really understand what the EU is, what it does or how I benefit directly.
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Yet I know it's a force for good in tackling all of the problems the world faces today, particularly climate change. I know it makes the continent more stable and if problems arise between member states we won't be threatening to bomb each other or postpone cricket tours; instead we'll sit down in a plush meeting room for several weeks and come up with a weakly worded resolution which satisfies no-one.
.
But at least less people will die. Well, less Europeans anyway.
The ECC national debates have ended in April 2009. You may now debate the final 15 recommendations on the European portal
Borders are artificial and man-made constructions. A line is drawn in the sand, across which your foe, whether it be an illegal immigrant or otherwise, is not allowed to step. If your foe crosses the line he is invariably arrested and thrown back to the otherside of the line.
.
But who decides where they're drawn? Most borders are historical accidents, although in the case of Britain the sea did the job for us. But take the UK, who decided where to draw the line across Ireland? Was a good idea? Probably not. But then, that's borders for you - seldom drawn in the right place. If you're looking for a future example, where is the line going to be drawn between Israel and Palestine?
.
So, it seems border lines are fairly arbitrary where the sea isn't involved. So what's the point of them? Well, apart from excluding foes, borders between countries define inhabitants of geographical areas. National identities create a common bond amongst citizens and a sense of belonging.
.
Take me as an example. As a Briton, I immediately have a bond with other Brits simple by dint of our nationality. We may have nothing else in common, but our nationality binds us together; it is the social glue which, although leaving us artificially bound together in a sometimes uncomfortable and sticky mess, allows us to have one thing in common - the nation state. This is undoubtably good for those on the right side of the border in a peaceful democracy, which covers every country currently in the EU.
.
Can the same be said of the European Union? Am I "European" and do I have a common "European" bond with inhabitants of the other 26 member states? Yes, because like other "Europeans" I don't really understand what the EU is, what it does or how I benefit directly.
.
Yet I know it's a force for good in tackling all of the problems the world faces today, particularly climate change. I know it makes the continent more stable and if problems arise between member states we won't be threatening to bomb each other or postpone cricket tours; instead we'll sit down in a plush meeting room for several weeks and come up with a weakly worded resolution which satisfies no-one.
.
But at least less people will die. Well, less Europeans anyway.