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Border Studies: Development of the Theory and Major Trends in a Changing Geopolitical Environment

Author

Listed:
  • V. A. Kolosov

    (Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The author aims to briefly analyze the objective reasons for the growing interest in studying political, administrative, and cultural borders (border studies), which has over the past 30 years turned into an important interdisciplinary field, and the progress of their theory. Diverse approaches to study of borders can be divided into two large types: pragmatic and critical. The traditional pragmatic approach, based on analysis of border functions and mainly using historical cartographic, comparative typological, and statistical methods, has been significantly developed due to attention towards actors, in addition to the state: local authorities, business, NGOs, etc. The information base has been significantly enriched, and understanding of the importance of cross-border cooperation and border-related social practices has increased. The critical approach is aimed at studying the cognitive–symbolic functions of borders associated with their perception, representation as sign systems, the politics of memory, and discourse and narratives. Today, pragmatic and critical approaches are integrated, including in the practice–policy–perception model. To a large extent, influenced by geopolitical shifts in recent years, seven key topics have emerged in the growing flow of border studies, including analysis of the role of borders as a tool for controlling international migration and regulating other social processes, the widespread activation of the barrier function of borders at different levels, redistribution of functions between them, etc. One direction for further development of border research is noted: study of the relationship and isomorphism of borders at different levels. According to the author, isomorphism means the similarity of the functions of formal (state, administrative) borders at all levels, although in different ways and in different proportions. The reason for this similarity is that borders act as a means of adapting space to the redistribution of political influence between different actors and centers, changes in the geopolitical position, and territorial distribution of the population and the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • V. A. Kolosov, 2023. "Border Studies: Development of the Theory and Major Trends in a Changing Geopolitical Environment," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 652-662, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rrorus:v:13:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1134_s2079970523700946
    DOI: 10.1134/S2079970523700946
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. V. A. Kolosov & M. V. Zotova & N. L. Turov, 2022. "Geopolitics and Political Geography in Russia: Global Context and National Characteristics," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 80-95, March.
    2. Charles R. Boehmer & Sergio Peña, 2012. "The Determinants of Open and Closed Borders," Journal of Borderlands Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 273-285, December.
    3. Markus Perkmann, 2007. "Policy Entrepreneurship and Multilevel Governance: A Comparative Study of European Cross-Border Regions," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 25(6), pages 861-879, December.
    4. Vladimir Kolosov & Kira Morachevskaya, 2022. "The Role of an Open Border in the Development of Peripheral Border Regions: The Case of Russian-Belarusian Borderland," Journal of Borderlands Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 533-550, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. K. V. Averkieva & F. V. Zernov, 2023. "Are Backwaters Homogeneous: the Vologda–Kostroma Borderland," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 65-77, December.
    2. V. E. Shuvalov, 2023. "Functions of Borders and Delimitation of the Basic Concepts of Theoretical Limology," Regional Research of Russia, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 646-651, December.

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