I have long been a believer the citizens of earth should be allowed free access to anywhere in the world.  This is not to say no countries or borders, just free movement across borders.

What about Culture?

As currently configured, laws customs and cultures around the world have a geographic specificity and national pride which is often a key underpinning for the support, maintenance  and promotion of the these concepts.  Often this is constrained by the boundaries of the country.

It is interesting to note though that languages and customs (the culture) can cross national boundaries and spread common practices and beliefs, as defined by regional commonalities, ultimately these cultural practices encompass multiple countries.

Most commonly the cultural, legal and economic practices are applied within a countries borders and the border is the clearly defined boundary which, when crossed, leads defines the change to your personal behavioral rights and restrictions.   That is you need to respect the laws of the country you have just entered.

None of this would be imperiled by having free access across borders.  In fact it is probably enhanced.

Why do these artificial constraints exist?

Is there a value to defining ownership of a country (albeit ownership by the population living there through their proxy leadership).  This includes deciding who can enter (and in some cases even who can leave) and how they can behave (the law of the land).

The only value I can think of is to the power hungry dictatorial (or elected) leaders who need territory to define their self worth.

Consider the Schengen agreement which covers a number of  European area countries.   The agreement was initially struck in 1985 and has grown since then to the point where today  free movement is allowed through all the twenty-six participating countries.  No border checks (imagine)

People are still expected to be able to identify themselves if challenged and to follow the rules the country they are in (countries still exist even with free borders – imagine).  The big thing is there is no border check to pass when either entering or leaving.

And it works.  Why have other countries around the world not embraced this advanced liberal practice?  Probably fear is the biggest driver.  Fear terrorists will have free rein, unwanted hoards will come to your country and ruin it,  your citizens will be overwhelmed.   You power diminished.

A Challenge

To national leaders around the globe, take a look a the approach adopted under the Schengen Agreement – it works, people love it and the world is a better place for it.