THE BORDER AS  A REPRESENTATION OF NATIONAL EXISTENCE

The figure of the enemy is constructed from a particular perspective on territory: the enemy penetrates the border. This transgression makes someone an enemy, even if he does relatively little damage and regardless of whether he damages public or private property.

Borders represent the integrity of the state. To eliminate the modern state means to erase its borders. Thus, wars begin with a border penetration; they end when the enemy is driven back across the border. The border has become a geographical representation of national existence.