But the “character” of those violently forged communities—nation states—is typically formed by oppressive majority rule: those in power dehumanizing and/or killing Indigenous and minority populations, forcibly assimilating intractable subjects, or establishing an esprit national through erasure and selective historical celebration and idolization. Historically, the demos (the “we” of “we the people”) has been forged through some groups’ exclusion of others. Another gaping blind spot in liberal thinking about borders is the presumption of who already belongs in the community. Walzer writes
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Because Walzer is a member of a particular political unit. Because he cannot presume to participate in the political decision of a political unit of which he is not a member. Because borders reflect the reality of a world where we cannot govern ourselves on the grand abstract stage called the the global community. We all recognize ourselves as global citizens, but we restrict ourselves to zones where we can make meaningful decisions.
