Fortifying frontier lines
- Constructing border defence
- National airspace
- Building defence lines
Description
Constructing defences at land, water and air frontiers to prevent entry of opposing military forces.
Context
Fortified frontier lines appeared as walls in China, the Middle East and Egypt to prevent raiders and neighbouring armies from entering home territory. In Europe this developed into lines of watch towers, and fortresses along important rivers or trade routes. As naval warfare increased, coastal waters, sea lanes and rivers were protected by batteries, mines and ships. Fortified airspace and even outer atmosphere defence became important during the 20th century.
Claim
Fortifications provide deterrence to foreign enemies. Peaceful stability can be maintained by strong border defences.
Counter-claim
Increasingly mobile military forces can avoid stationary fortresses (i.e. the Maginot Line in World War II).
High technology can invent ever more advanced ways to penetrate or out-manoeuvre frontier defences.
It is difficult to define national borders in ocean waters and in the upper atmosphere of the planet.
Fortification affirms nationalistic ideals of sovereignty, isolationism and protectionism.
Broader
Narrower
Constrains
Facilitated by
Problem
SDG
