The first section of this chapter addresses recent developments in North America and the European Union that indicate national borders have become central in economic and security reforms. The second section analyzes borders as places where procedures define power relations between nations and between nations and individuals. The chapter argues that too often studies of the policies and procedures of border control have focus only on one dimension of the issue, either on social reactions, the political power of the state, or the economic gains of business. The analysis presented in this chapter suggests that the issues involve not only many government agencies but also power relations that must be carefully examined. In both North America and Europe, border control is strongly influenced by the power of business to create a state of border control that defies national policies and community wishes. Responses to border issues in such circumstances typically involve pressure toward more restrictive border control by conservative forces and pressure toward more flexibility in border control for regions whose economic interests and acceptance of diversity favor more open borders. The challenge is to develop workable flexible border policies that will satisfy the interests of factions that have different priorities regarding security, social conditions, and economic interests. 43 references