This chapter argued that the current border security system has succumbed to numerous system traps: policy resistance, escalation, shifting the burden, rule beating, and seeking the wrong goal. It also introduced the structural limitations of the present system. The effects of these traps and structural limitations on the border security
212 GAO Report, “DHS Progress and Challenges in Securing the U.S. Southwest and Northern Borders,” March 30, 2011, 1-2; GAO Report, “Border Patrol Strategy: Programs and Challenges in Implementation and Assessment Efforts,” May 8, 2012, 12–13.
213 Lisa N. Sacco and Kristin M. Finklea, “Reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy:
Issues for Consideration,” Congressional Research Service Report R41535, October 20, 2011, 9.
214 Meyers, “Does ‘Smarter” Lead to Safer,” 15.
regime’s ability to regulate system flows was explained through a systemic perspective for each of the forces identified in Chapter III. Chapter V projects a new paradigm that addresses the existing limitations and has the potential to increase North American security.
V. NEW BORDER SECURITY PARADIGM
The border security system operates in an environment containing highly complex adaptive systems. Chapter IV detailed the ineffectiveness of the current system in confronting these systems, along with addressing the wicked problems it faces. This chapter projects a new border security paradigm, which, if implemented, will increase North American security.
According to Meadows, “Paradigms are the sources of systems. From them, from shared social agreements about the nature of reality, come system goals and information flows, feedbacks, stocks, flows, and everything else about systems.”215 Changing a system’s paradigm is the second highest leverage point offered by Meadows and if changed will transform the entire border security apparatus. The previous chapters examined the current border security system in order to discover the system’s lever points, what Holland describes as “points where a simple intervention causes a lasting, directed effect.”216 It is apparent, from this examination, that the most effective leverage point present in the border security system is to change its paradigm.
The border security paradigm, or mindset, needs to change from stopping terrorism, illegal immigration, and drug interdiction to jointly facilitating the efficient flow of lawful trade, travel, and immigration between North American countries.
Accompanying this new paradigm, two significant policy changes are warranted:
legalization of drugs and reinstatement of a Bracero type program. This new paradigm, along with the policy changes, will enable the border security system to overcome system traps by changing the current rules, structures, and goals of the entire system.
This chapter explains how the new paradigm, using Meadows’ leverage points, will surmount the system traps the border security system has succumbed and projects a new structure to increase effectiveness. The forces affecting border security are examined through the lens of the new paradigm, and a new tri-national border security
215 Meadows, Thinking in Systems, 163.
216 Holland, “Complex Adaptive Systems, 6.
agency, based on collaboration, is introduced. Finally, the cost of the new system is addressed. Chapter VI will discuss implementation barriers, how to overcome these barriers, and feasibility of the establishment of the new system.217
A. SYSTEM TRAPS
Border security has fallen into the traps of: policy resistance, escalation, shifting the burden to the intervener, rule beating, and seeking the wrong goal. Changing the system’s paradigm engages several of Meadows’ leverage points simultaneously. This section describes the specific leverage points, unleashed on the system by introducing a paradigm shift, that will allow border security to overcome each of the above traps.218
1. Policy Resistance
The lack of success in stemming the flow of illegal immigration and drugs across North American borders is directly attributed to policy resistance. Increased barriers and control measures put in place along the border leads to greater DTO innovation, resulting in no significant change to the system’s stocks. Changing the system’s paradigm, however, alters the rules of the system—another leverage point—transforming the system’s incentives, punishments, and constraints. The new rules, namely the legalization of drugs and reinstatement of a Bracero type program, will allow the system to break out of the policy resistance trap.219
2. Escalation
Escalation accounts for the lack of cooperation between border security agencies.
In order to overcome this trap, the border security system’s structure must be changed.
Changing system structure is the fourth highest leverage point offered by Meadows, and transforming the system’s paradigm entails changing its structure. The new structure is described in the next section.220
217 Meadows, Thinking in Systems, 147–65.
218 Ibid., 147–65.
219 Ibid., 158.
220 Ibid., 159.
3. Shifting the Burden to the Intervener
Border security agencies have been charged with combating the symptoms of drug use and illegal immigration, yet little has been done to address the root causes of the problems. Changing the system paradigm will directly confront the root causes of the problems, allowing border security to overcome this system trap.221
4. Rule Beating
Rule beating, in the form of corruption, is plaguing border security institutions.
The leverage point enabling border security to defeat this trap is altering system structure.
Revolutionizing the paradigm encompasses system structural transformation; rule beating is specifically addressed in the discussion on revenue and commerce forces.
5. Seeking the Wrong Goal
Border security’s goals are poorly defined and measured with the wrong metrics.
Implementing a new system paradigm changes the goals of the system—the third highest leverage point. A new, clearly defined, system goal is introduced in the discussion of forces affecting border security.222