U.S. Border Militarization and Foreign Policy: A Symbiotic Relationship

23 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2021 Last revised: 22 Jan 2022

See all articles by Nathan P. Goodman

Nathan P. Goodman

George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Christopher J. Coyne

George Mason University - Department of Economics

Date Written: November 11, 2021

Abstract

U.S. government security along the U.S.-Mexican border has been increasingly militarized. This domestic militarization has been influenced by U.S. government military intervention abroad. Preparing for and executing foreign interventions involves investing in physical and human capital to effectively coerce and control the target population. The U.S. government’s “war on drugs” and “war on terror” created the conditions for this capital to be repurposed for domestic use in border-security efforts. While foreign policy created the conditions for border militarization, border militarization has also influenced foreign interventions. This article explores the symbiotic relationship between U.S. border militarization and foreign policy.

Keywords: border security, foreign interventions, foreign policy, militarization, U.S.-Mexican border

JEL Classification: D74, H11, H56

Suggested Citation

Goodman, Nathan and Coyne, Christopher J., U.S. Border Militarization and Foreign Policy: A Symbiotic Relationship (November 11, 2021). GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 21-35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3961152 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3961152

Nathan Goodman

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Christopher J. Coyne (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.ccoyne.com/

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