Some Conceptual Issues in the Study of Borders and Surveillance (From Global Surveillance and Policing: Borders, Security, Identity, P 11-35, 2005, Elia Zureik and Mark B. Salter, eds. -- See NCJ-213109)

• NCJ Number: 213111
• Author(s): Gary T. Marx
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter defines "borders" and discusses how contemporary forces of globalization, security threats and challenges, and surveillance technologies threaten traditional borders and erect new borders of various types.

Abstract

This chapter advises that a central topic for social study should be the structures and dynamics through which agents and subjects of surveillance create border breakers and border barriers under new threat conditions and new technologies. The dictionary defines a "border" as "a boundary or an edge that separates elements within from those beyond it." This chapter uses the term "border" to refer to personal and social borders established to maintain identity, information, and other variables that may be unwillingly exposed by new communication and surveillance technologies. Individuals and groups set borders beyond which they do not want others to cross. These borders are set and controlled through such means as closed doors, locked spaces accessible only to select persons, control over information that is shared or received, passwords, and psychological defenses that prevent the infliction of emotional pain. Border "breakers" are techniques used to evade or tear down the mechanisms individuals and groups use to maintain control over what they prefer to remain distinct, separate, or secret from others. Recent developments in communications, surveillance, and related technologies have features that can undermine and alter traditional physical, geographical, spatial, and symbolic borders, making them more vulnerable to crossing and creating the necessity for establishing new borders; for example, traditional borders blocked information about the self from being known to others without the individual's knowledge or choice. Under recent technologies, however, formerly protected information is subject to covert intrusions and manipulation. These new surveillance and communication technologies are also blurring borders of organizations. 37 notes and 24 references