Time to get rid of all borders, experts say

Should we get rid of all borders? As countries bicker over vaccine distribution, some thinkers dream of a world without boundaries. But others believe borders are integral to order. Three Covid-19 vaccines have passed trials. The race is over. A scramble over who gets doses has begun. Developed countries have adopted a “me first approach”. The US has ordered enough to vaccinate its population twice. Many countries in the developing world are unlikely to see the vaccine in 2021. Wealthier nations have begun to argue. Taiwan has quibbled over accepting vaccines from arch-enemy China. After Britain-based AstraZeneca told the EU it would receive fewer vaccines than proposed, the EU threatened to halt exports of the Pfizer jab to the UK. Such horse-trading reveals an ugly truth. Nations pursue their own interests first. Some propose a solution: a world without borders. The arguments against borders are myriad. Borders trap people, removing their freedom to migrate. Much blood has been shed over border disputes. A world without borders could be a world without conflict. It might be a more prosperous one. Opening borders could double the world’s GDP. A border-free world could reduce poverty. Some say the idea is utopian. Immigration might wipe out poverty. But if 630 million people moved across the globe at once, it would be chaos. Borders prevent disputes. Borders help maintain security. During crises, the ability to close borders might save lives. Should we get rid of borders? Open season Yes. Humanity existed for millennia before borders. Borders threaten our right to move. Since being established, they have encouraged selfishness and inspired cruelty. A world without boundaries would be fairer. No. A borderless world would be an orderless one. Borders allow governments to function independently. They protect cultures. Although they can provoke violence, they can also defend against it. In a world prone to war, we should be thankful for the safety of borders. KeywordsMyriad - A countless or extremely great number of people or things.