What We Talk About When We Talk About Borders: Developing a Framework for Consideration of Borders in a Future World
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Hutchison, Catherine
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Abstract
The so-called boundary problem is often something left unaddressed or under addressed in liberal political theory. This paper seeks to articulate the contemporary discussion surrounding political theory regarding borders. Through the use of literary post-apocalyptic fiction novels as case studies, this paper will show that there is a framework for considering borders in a post-national world. This is accomplished primarily through an in-depth examination of the work of Joseph Carens, David Miller, and Arash Abizadeh. From the work of these three theorists, this paper identifies four central themes or issues regarding borders: (1) sovereignty; (2) autonomy; (3) affective ties; and (4) the existence of an “other.” These four themes form the central tenets of political theory regarding borders. Based on these claims this paper will argue that in considering borders in a post-national world that (1) sovereignty as we understand it currently does not make sense in a world that does not include the current nation state based geopolitical system; (2) there is a human right to movement that can be derived from understandings of autonomy; (3) increased affective ties also increase the moral argument against an individual’s expulsion; and (4) that an “other” may be either physical or psychological but is not necessary for the formation of a collective identity.
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political science, political theory, borders, immigration