Security, Fear, and the Closing of Borders: Rethinking Isolation in a Global Village

Written by Prof. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, FCFIP, FCIML, FCECFI, FFAR

Introduction
Security is one of the most enduring priorities of human society. From fortified cities of the past to the tightly monitored borders of today, individuals and nations have sought to protect themselves from real and perceived threats. Yet this instinct—though understandable—can easily turn into fear-driven isolation. Because humans lack omniscience, we cannot fully know others’ intentions. This uncertainty often compels communities and countries to close their gates to visitors and potential intruders.
The Good Heart and Its Vulnerability
History repeatedly demonstrates how generosity can be exploited. A good heart, when unprotected, may become vulnerable to manipulation or aggression. Across time, the tables of power have also turned—servants rising to positions of influence and leaders reduced to subordinates—fueling a “by any means necessary” approach to maintaining control. In this climate of uncertainty about the future, many who begin with openness and goodwill retreat into caution, believing that strength lies in exclusion.
Yet such withdrawal obscures a fundamental reality: life is interwoven with good and evil, risk and opportunity. Actual growth emerges from engagement rather than retreat. One must therefore resist the temptation to allow adverse circumstances to corrupt one’s character. As Kant (1996/1785) argued in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, moral worth lies not in outcomes but in steadfast adherence to duty and principle. In practice, this means that kindness, respect, and love must remain intrinsic—qualities of the self, not merely responses to favorable conditions.
The Pros and Cons of Closing Borders
Benefits of Restrictive Security Measures:
1. Immediate Protection – Closed borders can reduce risks from terrorism, organized crime, pandemics, or sudden influxes of migrants that strain public resources.
2. Cultural Preservation – Isolation can help safeguard indigenous traditions and values from erosion by external influences.
3. Short-Term Economic Stability – Restrictive immigration policies may temporarily protect domestic labor markets.
Costs of Restrictive Security Measures:
1. Economic Stagnation – Over time, isolation leads to labor shortages, reduced innovation, and diminished trade opportunities (World Bank, 2020).
2. Diplomatic Isolation – Nations that close themselves off risk losing influence and allies, becoming geopolitically vulnerable (Nye, 2004).
3. Erosion of Soft Power – A reputation for unfriendliness diminishes a nation’s cultural, educational, and intellectual exchange (Nye, 2004).
4. Psychological Consequences – Prolonged isolation fosters suspicion and an “us versus them” mentality, undermining cooperation and trust (Fromm, 1956).
The Lion Analogy: Strength Through Connection
A solitary lion, no matter how fierce, cannot match the survival advantage of a pride. Strength and might are not permanent; they are bound by time and circumstance. Without its pride, the lion is vulnerable to exhaustion and competition. Similarly, nations that cut themselves off may appear strong in the short term but risk losing collective resilience over time (Niebuhr, 1932).
Complacency and Self-Contentment
Complacency arises when temporary stability is mistaken for lasting security. Self-contentment without vigilance leads to stagnation. Recognizing the limits of power and the unpredictability of global challenges should not prompt fear-driven isolation but instead inspire prudent engagement rooted in ethical leadership and faith in higher principles (Niebuhr, 1932).
Respect, Love, and the Nature of God
Proper respect and love do not emerge from cruelty, domination, or fear. They arise from empathy, compassion, and care—the very attributes traditionally seen as reflecting the divine (1 John 4:8, New International Version). Fromm (1956), in The Art of Loving, contended that genuine love is not merely a reaction to circumstances but an act of will and character —a deliberate choice to remain loving even when provoked to hate. Similarly, Niebuhr (1932) observed that while societies tend to pursue self-interest and power, individuals can act as moral agents, embodying divine principles of justice and love.
When fear causes people or nations to betray their values, they harm not only others but also themselves by diminishing their moral identity. Strength, therefore, is found not in walls or weapons but in steadfast character and shared humanity.
Recommendations for Balanced Security and Openness
1. Smart Borders, Not Closed Borders – Use technology and intelligence-sharing to screen threats while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
2. Multilateral Agreements – Strengthen regional and global alliances to jointly manage migration, security, and disaster responses.
3. Cultural Diplomacy – Promote exchange programs, academic collaborations, and cultural initiatives to build trust (Nye, 2004).
4. Adaptive Security Strategies – Regularly reassess security measures to reflect evolving realities rather than rely on permanent lockdowns.
5. Invest in Human Capital – Prepare citizens for a globally connected future through education, digital literacy, and intercultural competence (World Bank, 2020).

Conclusion
The world, often described as a “global village,” cannot flourish in a state of fear-driven isolation. Security must be balanced with openness, and caution must be exercised in trusting others. Above all, no individual or nation should allow present circumstances to erode their essential goodness. Respect and love are earned not through cruelty or coercion but through care, compassion, and the disciplined practice of moral integrity.
As Kant reminds us, moral worth lies in principle, not convenience. As Fromm insists, love is a practice of character, not a transaction. As history shows, nations and individuals alike are strongest when they are not in isolation, but in partnership. Walking together with mutual respect is not weakness but wisdom—a reflection of the divine nature in human society and the surest path toward stability, growth, and peace.

References
Fromm, E. (1956). The art of loving. Harper & Row.
Kant, I. (1996). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals (M. Gregor, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1785)
Niebuhr, R. (1932). Moral man and immoral society: A study in ethics and politics. Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Nye, J. S. (2004). Soft power: The means to success in world politics. PublicAffairs.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). 1 John 4:8.
World Bank. (2020). World development report 2020: Trading for development in the age of global value chains. World Bank Publications.

Courtesy of MEFoundation