TEDxEastEnd - Danny Dorling - A World without border controls in a century

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker envisions a future without border controls, visas, or passports, arguing it would significantly enhance freedom. Historically, such controls are a recent phenomenon, emerging post-World War I due to economic disparities and population growth. As global population growth slows and economic inequalities decrease, the speaker suggests it's conceivable that in 100 years, we could return to a world resembling the free movement of people seen a century ago. They challenge the effectiveness of immigration controls and advocate for reimagining the world's approach to borders.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker envisions a future without border controls, passports, or visas, suggesting it would be a significant increase in freedom.
• 📜 Border controls are a relatively recent phenomenon, with most of the world lacking such restrictions 100 years ago.
• 🌍 The introduction of border controls was influenced by events like World War I and economic disparities between nations.
• 📈 Economic inequality and rapid population growth post-Industrial Revolution contributed to the implementation of immigration controls.
• 🔢 The global population experienced an unprecedented increase, doubling multiple times within a century, exacerbating fears of migration.
• 📉 Current trends indicate a slowing population growth rate, which may impact the rationale for strict border controls.
• 🌱 Economic inequalities between countries are beginning to decrease, which could reduce the need for border controls.
• 🚫 Immigration controls are not effective in stopping immigration but rather cause inconvenience and may encourage illegal immigration.
• 🌱 The fear of immigration is often unfounded, as people move based on opportunities and may return if conditions are not favorable.
• 🔮 The speaker suggests that a world without border controls is possible, drawing parallels to the historical struggle for women's suffrage.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the speaker in the transcript?

The speaker argues that it is possible to imagine a world in about 100 years where there are no border controls, visas, passports, or border guards, suggesting this would be an incredible increase in freedom.

Why does the speaker believe border controls are a recent development?

The speaker believes border controls are a recent development because most of the world did not have them 100 years ago. In 1911, one could move freely around Europe without needing a passport or visa.

What historical events are mentioned as catalysts for the introduction of border controls?

The introduction of border controls was particularly accelerated with the First World War and the subsequent increase in economic inequality between countries, as well as the rapid growth of the human population.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between economic inequality and immigration controls?

The speaker describes economic inequality as a driving factor for immigration controls, with rich countries fearing an influx of people from poorer countries, especially as the gap in wealth between nations widened.

What does the speaker suggest about the effectiveness of immigration controls?

The speaker suggests that immigration controls are not effective, as they cause inconvenience and do not actually stop the overall number of people who want to enter a country, but rather change the demographics of who gets in.

How does the speaker explain the current trend in population growth and its potential impact on border controls?

The speaker explains that the rapid increase in population growth is slowing down, which, along with a reduction in economic inequality between countries, could lead to a future where border controls are less necessary.

What does the speaker say about the fear of immigration in countries like the UK?

The speaker says that the fear of immigration in countries like the UK is unfounded, as population censuses often find fewer people than expected, indicating that people also leave these countries when they find life there not as good as they expected.

Why does the speaker think it's important to imagine a world without border controls?

The speaker thinks it's important to imagine a world without border controls to challenge the status quo and to work towards dismantling the current controls, which are seen as restrictive and not entirely effective.

What historical analogy does the speaker use to illustrate the possibility of change in societal norms?

The speaker uses the historical analogy of women's suffrage, which was once considered fanciful but eventually became a reality, to illustrate that societal norms can change and that imagining a world without border controls is a step towards making it a possibility.

What does the speaker suggest as a reason for the decrease in the need for border controls?

The speaker suggests that a decrease in population growth rates and a reduction in economic inequality between countries are reasons that might lead to a decrease in the need for border controls.