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The mysterious origins of border control: Why did ancient empires place such an emphasis on access control?
In the long course of history, the concept of border control has evolved over time. Its importance lies in its direct impact on the security, economy and social structure of the country. From ancient times to modern times, border control has always been a focus of governments, whether it is the movement of people, goods or animals. Internal and external access management is not only a symbol of national sovereignty, but also a method of social management.
In ancient empires, controlling access was undoubtedly an important manifestation of power, allowing the country to effectively manage its citizens and guard against external threats.
Tight border controls date back to ancient times. Asian literature mentions that as early as the 3rd century BC, the Book of Ashoka records the issuance of entry and exit passes. China had already begun using documents similar to modern passports during the Western Han Dynasty. These passports recorded basic information about individuals, including age, height and other physical characteristics, and determined their ability to move within the empire. Even a baby does not need a passport if it is still in its mother's arms.
Border control in the Middle Ages
As we entered the Middle Ages, the concept of border control continued to evolve. In the Islamic caliphate, the passport for entry and exit is called "bara'a", which indicates the taxes paid to ensure that only those who pay taxes can freely enter and exit various areas. In Europe, passports have been used as a tool to prove identity as early as the reign of King Henry V of England. This literature is not limited to international entry and exit, but also involves local controls, showing that border control has gradually become part of the functioning of the state.
During World War I, passport requirements at borders were first widely implemented, marking a new level of national emphasis on border control.
Rejection and Fear in Modern History
As the 19th and early 20th centuries progressed, border control policies became increasingly strict. At that time, in order to restrict immigration, Canada, the United States, Australia and other places began to formulate exclusion policies against Asian immigrants. The passage of the China Exclusion Act in the United States in 1882 was an early example of these restrictions, showing that after European colonization, white supremacy led to systemic racial discrimination and unequal treatment. Such policies have had profound impacts on society and the economy over time.
With the end of World War II, global immigration patterns have changed, further promoting policy adjustments to border control in various countries. However, many countries' rejection of immigrants and fear of them make border control an ongoing challenge. In the UK, with changes in nationality laws, immigration policy has become increasingly complex and has been subject to much criticism.
Impact of COVID-19
In 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented tightening of border controls around the world. In order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, many countries have implemented entry bans and quarantine measures. Although these control measures have achieved the effect of curbing the spread of the virus to a certain extent, they have also had a huge impact on the tourism industry and people's lives. How the tourism industry will recover after the epidemic is over will become an important topic in the future.
Experts predict that while people will resume traveling after travel bans are lifted, some business activities may see a long-term decline.
The diversity of current border controls
Modern border control policies vary from country to country and region to region, and are adjusted as political priorities change. Countries must not only manage land borders, but also effectively control sea and air domains, in which laws and regulations will play an important role. According to international law, countries have certain sovereignty over inland waters, territorial waters and the airspace above them, which allows countries to respond to invasions.
While burdening domestic security, border controls also affect trade and cultural exchanges. In fact, more and more countries are beginning to attach importance to commercial cooperation under open borders, trying to find a balance point that not only ensures domestic security but also promotes economic development. However, each country’s border policies represent a unique story of its culture, economy and society. Does this redefine our understanding of national sovereignty?
From ancient times to the present, border control has always been one of the core issues in the governance of various countries. How to find a balance between protecting national security and promoting fair exchanges will be a question that future policymakers must solve.
