February 2021 Published since 1940 | Vol.69 No. 10

Border Security: An Ideological Nexus

By Jamie Ferrill and Kristy Campion

Synopsis

This analysis explores the ideological nexus that the concept of border security and its associated practices occupy. This is important to explore as the principles governing a nation’s border security are driven by dominant ideological postures which manifest and result in outcomes which have a marked impact on a nations’ citizens. In the era of COVID-19, the ideological tension between neoliberalism and civic nationalism has been illuminated, with border security practices resultantly being pulled towards the protection of the economy or the security of citizens. This tension complicates border security practices, with such crises magnifying its place on an ideological battleground. The goal of this analysis is to reconceptualise how we think about border security practices and the underlying ideological drivers behind them.

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A CIC publication | thecic.org Jamie Ferrill is a lecturer in Financial Crime AboutStudies at the Australian Author Graduates School of Policing and Security. Jamie has been a Canadian International Council university lecturer since 2013, teaching across criminology, business, and policing in Canada, the UK, and Australia. As an organizational behaviour researcher, Jamie focuses on the role President and Research Director / Ben Rowswell of human actors and ideology in organizational processes, as well as in transnational Programming Manager / Daniel Lis cooperation and collaboration. She has nearly a Operations Manager / Catherine Hume decade of law enforcement experience, having Chair of the Board / William C. Graham worked for the Canadian Federal Government prior to commencing an academic career.

Copyright 2021 by the Canadian International Council. Kristy Campion is a Lecturer in Terrorism The opinions expressed in this publication are Studies with the Australian Graduate School of those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Policing and Security. She has taught tertiary the views of the Canadian International Council terrorism studies since 2012 at both or its Board of Directors. undergraduate and postgraduate level. Dr Campion’s research focuses on right wing extremism, spanning organisations and individuals, ideological narratives and identity- building, white national and supremacy, and its transhistorical and transnational dynamics. She also consults for specialist audiences and industry, and engages in media and public commentary.

Vol. 69 No. 10 | February 2021 2 Introduction and quarantine, as nations around the world introduce countermeasures and restrictions. The very same The spread and severity of COVID-19 along with international crisis has led to conflicting containment subsequent containment measures and practices has strategies seeking to manage economies and regulate trade illuminated some of the social and economic disparities and commerce in a rapidly changing world. By virtue of that exist in a globalized world. As containment has been these competing interests, border security practices are a central policy for some western nations, border security caught in convergence between the priorities of civic practice and principles have become a first defence for nationalist ideology, which desires to protect and defend virus control. As a direct result, border security has citizens from the effects of the pandemic, and the demands become more entangled than ever in reconciling tension of the free market, motivated by neoliberal ideology. between two competing ideologies: neoliberalism and civic nationalism. That tension is premised on the Securing the Free Market competing priorities of defending economies, both national and regional, versus the protection of a nation’s Border security is, in part, mobilized to protect and enable citizens through hard border virus containment – a the economic prosperity of nations, which is ideologically response that has been fervently debated around the driven. When we turn to the underpinning feature of 1 world. national economies in the western democratic world, neoliberalism represents a dominant ideology. The This contestation has real implications for border security neoliberal ideology represents a hegemonic individualized practices, especially given that those practices are ethos of self-interest, which means that the archetypical underlined by both ideologies. This situation is neoliberal prioritizes economic prosperity and capital 2 exacerbated by the increasingly fragile global economy flow. Whilst promising economic prosperity and security that leaves nations and their attendant border security for all, in reality, neoliberalism tends to work in favour of practices responsible for making challenging decisions powerful networks of corporate and political elites and that are reliant on the values and inhibitions of each their economic interests. This matters, especially in the era respective society. Border security practice, in Canada and of COVID-19, as the pursuit of economic security can lead elsewhere in the western world, is inherently civic to a devaluation of human life. nationalist yet enables a neoliberal society. In application, this means that the fragility of free market securitization Border security practices are significantly an instrument of must be considered alongside citizen welfare; a economic security and prosperity. COVID-19 has consideration that has been implemented in diverse ways accentuated the role border security practices have in around the world.3 Hence, our assertion that border regulating and influencing the economy. Australia, for security practice is a microcosmic battleground for the example, closed its national border on March 20, 2020, forces of neoliberalism and civic nationalist ideology. effectively stopping the free flow of people and interrupting the supply chain as it pertains to goods – Conceptualizing Border Security some of the strategic priorities for border security practice.5 The neoliberal interest aims to enable the Border security may be conceptualized as a continuum of economy via open borders, particularly in an age of activity4 which covers law enforcement, immigration, globalization. This is in contrast with a civic nationalist foreign affairs, defence, the enforcement of national ethical interest that aims to protect lives, in this case via boundaries and quarantine, and the regulation of trade virus transmission suppression. These priorities inherently and commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought clash, with neoliberals concerned about market stability into stark relief the significance of national boundaries and economic prosperity as a measure of a nations’ security.

1Muggah, Robert, David Steven, and Liv Torres. “How COVID-19 Is Putting Global Security under Threat | World Economic Forum.” World Economic Forum, April 23, 2020. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/we-need-major-cooperation-on-global-security-in- the-covid-19-era/. 2McKee, Martin, and David Stuckler. “If the World Fails to Protect the Economy, COVID-19 Will Damage Health Not Just Now but Also in the Future.” Nature 26, no. 5 (May 1, 2020): 640–42. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0863-y. 3Bejan, Raluca, and Kristina Nikolova. “How Canada Compares to Other Countries on COVID-19 Cases and Deaths.” The Conversation, July 22, 2020. https://theconversation.com/how-canada-compares-to-other-countries-on-covid-19-cases-and- deaths-142632. 4Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Annual Report 2013-24, https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-pubs/ Annualreports/acbps-annual-report-2013-14.pdf. 5Prime Minister of Australia. “Border Restrictions | Prime Minister of Australia,” March 19, 2020. https://www.pm.gov.au/media/ border-restrictions.

Vol. 69 No. 10 | February 2021 3 The Pull of Profits The Cost of Closure

COVID-19 triggered a global downward-spiral of the Civic nationalist ideology, by virtue of its emphasis on economy. The fruits of globalization have been civil society, places the highest value on the overall compromised, and the biggest contraction of the welfare of its citizens, which includes preserving lives of economy in the history of capitalism has been those citizens. Within this prism of assumptions, the experienced.6 This, of course, alarms the champions of people are the nation: the economy’s purpose is to neoliberalism. From a social democratic viewpoint, this is advance the welfare of the people. This has positioned concerning, as the ideology essentially values the border security practice to become the physical (and economy over life and therefore undermines a keystone of metaphorical) frontline for COVID-19 counter social democracy. Further, if we subscribe to the measures, acting in defence of civil society, and the lives neoliberal idea that our actions are mostly our of their citizens. Part of that response is to close the responsibility rather than influenced by societal structures borders,7 asserting the power of national boundaries, (such as social class), we would not pursue social policies and from there, to regulate the flow of travellers into that tackle the structural equity issues compromising quarantine facilities and reduce the contagion – playing health and welfare. This means that within the neoliberal a direct role in preventing COVID-19-related fatalities. worldview, health and welfare are individualized This, in conjunction with widespread lockdowns and responsibilities. This fuels the narrative that if someone restrictions, has a direct impact on the performance of catches COVID-19 they are simply the author of their local, regional, national, and global economies. own unfortunate condition, and must deal with the Economic uncertainty is at least one element of the consequences as individuals. In the context of anti-lockdown movements around the world, as COVID-19, pressure from the neoliberals has been citizens resist the very measures designed to keep them underlined by its priority of protecting the economy. This safe. This economic impact is recognized within the is antithetical to socially responsible societies, of which civic nationalist ambit as an acceptable price for the the economy is a linchpin – providing for its citizens and security of citizens. fulfilling their needs. The Contest of Ideas Securing the People Border security practices therefore operate at a critical Civic interpretations of nationalist ideology, by contrast, juncture between two powerful and opposing forces are also prominent in the realm of border security and needs: neoliberalism and civic nationalism. The practice. Civic nationalism is largely considered a prism contestation of two powerful, dominant ideologies in of assumptions that advances the protection of the civil society is a crucial paradigm to explore in the political nation foremost. While civic nationalism context of border security practices. Balancing safety (contrary to ethnonationalism) emphasizes inclusivity, and security with economic considerations is not a new diversity, and rationalism - it also champions civic loyalty issue, but as the world become more globalized and and national sovereignty. Border security is an instrument interdependent, national priorities become more of national sovereignty, serving to regulate and defend pronounced and important. national boundaries under the direction of politically directed border policy. COVID-19 has accentuated the The fate of the cruise ship industry in the South Pacific significance of border security practice and its defence of provides one prominent demonstration of this clash of 8 the nation. National boundaries have closed, and travel ideologies. Upon the commencement of the restrictions are in place around the world as border COVID-19 pandemic, tourism, a significant source of security practices seek to stymie the flow of the travellers, economic growth, development, and security in the and with them, COVID-19. South Pacific was severely compromised by border practices, in that the border was effectively closed

6 Saad-Filho, A. (2020). "From COVID-19 to the End of Neoliberalism." Critical Sociology 46(4–5), 477–485 7“World Closes Borders, Restricts Travel to Contain Coronavirus Spread.” Reuters, March 15, 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us- health-coronavirus-world-idUSKBN2110AJ. 8Goldsbury, Louise. “Chiefs Ban Cruise Ships From South Pacific Islands Due to Coronavirus.” Cruise Critic, March 6, 2020. https:// www.cruisecritic.com/news/5048/.

Vol. 69 No. 10 | February 2021 4 in order to protect the health and future sustainability of Conclusion the respective nations.9 While some nations re-opened borders for fears of financial crises, they subsequently Border security is a key function of national sovereignty, experienced COVID-19 outbreaks.10 As a result, the and all relevant actors involved in border security health and lives of many citizens was compromised. practice perform a series of vital and complex roles From an economic impact perspective, early in the across the continuum. COVID-19 and its subsequent pandemic, there were estimates that even a three month countermeasures have magnified the responsibility of interruption would significantly contract the economies border security personnel in defending their fellow of the South Pacific nations, resulting in negative citizens, while some of those fellow citizens oppose the growths.11 One year later, most South Pacific borders very measures designed to preserve life. Interests and remained closed and the economic impacts are yet to be agendas are being served at all levels of operation; thus, assessed in full. The contestation of neoliberalism and the space of sovereign interest is occupied by competing versus civic nationalism is stark in this scenario; while ideologies. The cost of getting it wrong at this juncture the government is ultimately responsible for the has never been higher. As death tolls reach new heights, decisions made, the front-line border security the ultimate responsibility of border security practice implications are very real and reliant on compliance, must be to provide security to its citizens, as articulated enforcement, and alignment with national ideals. by leaders around the world.12 Border security practices therefore must manage ideological conflict in order to As such, it can be argued that neoliberalism weakens the prioritise the nation it serves, defending the sovereign state, which in turn, means it is weakening border interest, without falling prey to either neoliberal alarm security. That is, it arguably compromises border or nationalist isolationism. COVID-19 has exposed the sovereignty. At a similar cost, civic nationalism can result fault lines between the economy that services its people in protectionist policies that can harm the economic and the economy that is willing to sacrifice its people. prosperity of its own citizens through border closures, and other measures. Striking a balance between these national priorities is not an easy feat; this is why border security practices are bound to attract pejorative narratives regardless of the actions deployed.

COVID-19 has shown that border security practices have manifested as lures for political ire in the contemporary global context of polarizing political ideology and practice. While the ideological tensions are, from either side of the coin, contested, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Democracy relies upon the peaceful competition of ideas, as supported, directed, or tolerated by its citizens. The extent of border security intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic, by virtue of this, must be in alignment with the tolerance of the citizens they aim to protect. The ultimate role of border security practice should result in providing security to its citizens; prioritizing their needs, without jeopardizing their health and economic futures. This is, admittedly, a fine line to tread for politicians, policymakers, and practitioners regardless of their ideology.

9Everett, Hayden, Dain Simpson and Scott Wayne. "Tourism as a Driver of Growth in the Pacific." Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative. http://adbpsdi.org/assets/Uploads/tourism-growth-pacific.pdf. 10Srinivasan, Prianka, Bethanie Harriman, and Evan Wasuka. “Tahiti Was a COVID-Free Paradise — Then It Let Tourists In.” ABC News, November 12, 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-13/how-has-pacific-avoided-coronavirus-covid-pandemic- cases/12875316.. 11Asian Development Bank. “Tourism-Driven Economies in the Pacific to Feel Brunt of COVID-19 Pandemic — ADB.” April 3, 2020. https://www.adb.org/news/tourism-driven-economies-pacific-feel-brunt-covid-19-pandemic-adb. 12“Border Force Budget 2016-17 - Wednesday 20 April 2016 - Hansard - UK Parliament.” Accessed February 18, 2021. https:// hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-04-20/debates/16042035000002/BorderForceBudget2016-17.

Vol. 69 No. 10 | February 2021 5 About the CIC The Canadian International Council (CIC) is Canada’s foreign relations council. It is an independent, non-partisan membership organization and think tank dedicated to advancing constructive dialogue on Canada’s place in the world and providing an incubator for innovative ideas on how to address the world’s most pressing problems.

The non-profit CIC integrates the voices of a diverse and multidisciplinary group of societal actors from academia, business, civil society, government and the media, and endeavours to inform and develop the capacity of the country’s next generation of foreign policy leaders.

One of Canada’s oldest and most respected think tanks, the CIC is not only dedicated to nurturing dialogue on Canadian foreign policy domestically, but also in projecting a Canadian perspective on the international stage. In our rapidly changing world, this effort to promote greater understanding and foster meaningful debate on critical challenges is more important than ever.

The CIC would like to acknowledge the editorial contribution of Wesley Wark and Arne Kislenko in making this series of articles possible.

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Behind the Headlines | February 2021