Border walls are big business–and not just in Trump’s America

[JacksinPA]

https://www.fastcompany.com/90293157/border-walls-are-big-business-and-not-just-in-trumps-america

When the Berlin Wall fell in the autumn of 1989, it felt like the beginning of a sea change in global geopolitics. Borders were beginning to fade, globalization was starting to take root. The concrete barrier had snaked around one of Europe’s most historic capitals for decades, cleaving a city in two and separating thousands of families, friends, and loved ones basically overnight. When the wall came down, Germany was suddenly on its way toward reunification–and it felt like the rest of the globe couldn’t be far behind.

That movement never came to pass. When the Berlin Wall crumbled that November night three decades ago, there were only 15 border walls in the world. Today there are 70, with 7 more proposed or in progress. Border walls have gone up in places like Hungary, Kenya, and Morocco. And, as you might have heard, Donald Trump’s proposed budget for a 1,600-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border has shut down the American government, as politicians argue over whether spending $5 billion on “steel slats” is a worthy use of taxpayer money while crucial infrastructure like bridges and highways crumble.
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Border wall building is a growth industry. In 30 years the world has added 55 of them, and 7 more may be in the pipeline. They are definitely a sign of the times as a changing world, both climatically & politically, displaces very large groups of people around the world. Are we naive in believing that physical barriers can check these forces?

 

[Beaudreaux]

The Berlin Wall was to keep their own people in, imprisoned.

 

[Mycroft]

https://www.fastcompany.com/90293157/border-walls-are-big-business-and-not-just-in-trumps-america

When the Berlin Wall fell in the autumn of 1989, it felt like the beginning of a sea change in global geopolitics. Borders were beginning to fade, globalization was starting to take root. The concrete barrier had snaked around one of Europe’s most historic capitals for decades, cleaving a city in two and separating thousands of families, friends, and loved ones basically overnight. When the wall came down, Germany was suddenly on its way toward reunification–and it felt like the rest of the globe couldn’t be far behind.

That movement never came to pass. When the Berlin Wall crumbled that November night three decades ago, there were only 15 border walls in the world. Today there are 70, with 7 more proposed or in progress. Border walls have gone up in places like Hungary, Kenya, and Morocco. And, as you might have heard, Donald Trump’s proposed budget for a 1,600-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border has shut down the American government, as politicians argue over whether spending $5 billion on “steel slats” is a worthy use of taxpayer money while crucial infrastructure like bridges and highways crumble.
====================================================
Border wall building is a growth industry. In 30 years the world has added 55 of them, and 7 more may be in the pipeline. They are definitely a sign of the times as a changing world, both climatically & politically, displaces very large groups of people around the world. Are we naive in believing that physical barriers can check these forces?

Since the Berlin wall fell, how many walls have been built to keep people from leaving a country or a city?

 

[washunut]

https://www.fastcompany.com/90293157/border-walls-are-big-business-and-not-just-in-trumps-america

When the Berlin Wall fell in the autumn of 1989, it felt like the beginning of a sea change in global geopolitics. Borders were beginning to fade, globalization was starting to take root. The concrete barrier had snaked around one of Europe’s most historic capitals for decades, cleaving a city in two and separating thousands of families, friends, and loved ones basically overnight. When the wall came down, Germany was suddenly on its way toward reunification–and it felt like the rest of the globe couldn’t be far behind.

That movement never came to pass. When the Berlin Wall crumbled that November night three decades ago, there were only 15 border walls in the world. Today there are 70, with 7 more proposed or in progress. Border walls have gone up in places like Hungary, Kenya, and Morocco. And, as you might have heard, Donald Trump’s proposed budget for a 1,600-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border has shut down the American government, as politicians argue over whether spending $5 billion on “steel slats” is a worthy use of taxpayer money while crucial infrastructure like bridges and highways crumble.
====================================================
Border wall building is a growth industry. In 30 years the world has added 55 of them, and 7 more may be in the pipeline. They are definitely a sign of the times as a changing world, both climatically & politically, displaces very large groups of people around the world. Are we naive in believing that physical barriers can check these forces?

Don't know the reason for all of the walls you mention. That being said not sure if you were around when the Berlin wall was destroyed. That wall was a barrier set up to divide one country after WWII.

That being said my sense is that you are off base as to why we are seeing more barriers being put up. In a world of social media and increasing disparities in economic wealth and social safety net of course there is a desire of those less well off to attempt to join nations where they are assured a better standard of living. For example the average American is better off than 95% of the people in the world. If you think immigration is an issue, just think if just the lowest caste in India,approximately 300 million people had the opportunity to cross into America and live in what we call poverty. To those people that would be like going to heaven. There are still approximately 5% of the world's population that lives on $2 per day. So the real question if we have compassion for those people how much are we willing to to lower our standard to living to help those people.

Then we have countries where people are rightfully afraid of the lawlessness and wars in their countries. How many Africans (there are 1.2 billion in Africa) that would like to live in modern,relatively safe country. Same with the middle east. How many would like to migrate from dysfunctional countries to the US or Europe, probably at least 100 million.

So the question is how many can Europe and the US absorb in the name of people looking for a better life for themselves and their families. So that the is true hard choice. Of course many of us,including me want to help many of these people. Where people differ is how. It is easy to say all sorts of negative things about any wall, but what I have not heard from people against walls is how they would solve the underlying reason many choose to leave the country where they were born. Where their family and friend reside.

 

[trouble13]

https://www.fastcompany.com/90293157/border-walls-are-big-business-and-not-just-in-trumps-america

When the Berlin Wall fell in the autumn of 1989, it felt like the beginning of a sea change in global geopolitics. Borders were beginning to fade, globalization was starting to take root. The concrete barrier had snaked around one of Europe’s most historic capitals for decades, cleaving a city in two and separating thousands of families, friends, and loved ones basically overnight. When the wall came down, Germany was suddenly on its way toward reunification–and it felt like the rest of the globe couldn’t be far behind.

That movement never came to pass. When the Berlin Wall crumbled that November night three decades ago, there were only 15 border walls in the world. Today there are 70, with 7 more proposed or in progress. Border walls have gone up in places like Hungary, Kenya, and Morocco. And, as you might have heard, Donald Trump’s proposed budget for a 1,600-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexico border has shut down the American government, as politicians argue over whether spending $5 billion on “steel slats” is a worthy use of taxpayer money while crucial infrastructure like bridges and highways crumble.
====================================================
Border wall building is a growth industry. In 30 years the world has added 55 of them, and 7 more may be in the pipeline. They are definitely a sign of the times as a changing world, both climatically & politically, displaces very large groups of people around the world. Are we naive in believing that physical barriers can check these forces?

Why would they build walls if they dont work. Didnt they get the memo from the left about ladders and shovels?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[sangha]

Why would they build walls if they dont work. Didnt they get the memo from the left about ladders and shovels?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Yes, everyone knows that if nations do something, it must work !!!