The US-Mexican Border and It's Influence on Hegemonic Power

Hegemony is the concept of world leadership. It is a sought after position by many states and currently it is held by the United States, although it is a declining hegemon. The reason this concept is important is because all policies and codes are tied to this perception of the United States. We are looked upon as the global police keeper and it is currently our policy to maintain this perception and the appearance of a dominant state. It only makes sense that a policy shaping concept would influence the US-Mexican border.

With that said, the border threatens the United State's position in the world. No it is not single handedly going to result in the United States becoming a periphery state but its perceptual impact will have an effect. Under Modelski's model, hegemonic power is about being able to influence events from abroad or without even physically having a presence . While immigration doesn't necessarily have an international effect on hegemony it does have an internal one. Like a person lacking in confidence, when the United States doesn't think highly of itself neither does anyone else.

As previously stated, hegemony is all about the perception of the state. Therefore, when a portion of the state fails, or appears to be failing, so does the hegemony. One of the key aspects of the state is territorial control, which is typically defined by a boundary internationally recognized. Immigration is one of America's big issues. The topic is brought up repeatedly and it typically doesn't matter what news channel your watching, whether it be CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, or another national news broadcast. Between the fear of terrorist attack and immigration issues such as job security, there is a sense of insecurity in this country at the border. This fear hasn't gone away despite the heightened security measures and policies that have taken place since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

What we have is an undermining of our territorial authority, at least that it is how it is being perceived at this time. This is terrible for a state as territory is part of how it is defined. When a state's personal authority is questioned so must its hegemonic power. Because if one can't police itself, how can it preside over the world? If the United States wishes to continue to stay as the hegemonic leader of the world then the US-Mexico border policy will be vital.