Border and Regional Studies

Cross-border mapping and cooperation: integrating and dividing practices

Ulla Connor — 2024-08-08

Cross-border cooperation (CBC) has emerged as a prominent domain of practices within the European framework, aligned with the European Commission’s objectives to foster harmonious development. This article addresses the empirical field of CBC between regional political stakeholders and public administrations in regional and local contexts at Europe’s internal borders. Despite the establishment of cross-border regions, borders are still perceived as barriers, prompting actors in CBC to develop strategies to transcend territorial boundaries. One such strategy is cross-border thematic mapping, which visually represents topics like infrastructure, demography and cultural heritage. The article explores how cross-border thematic maps contribute to the creation and thinking of the cross-border space as a region in the context of CBC. It presents empirical research and an interpretation, arguing that while cross-border cartography advances cooperation, it also poses unintended challenges. Applying a praxeological approach, the study conceptualizes map usage as practices, drawing on ethnographic data from public events in an anonymized cross-border European region. The study explores the practices of map usage and develops a theorization to understand the social dynamics of cross-border building with maps. By bridging the gaps in practice-oriented cross-border studies and CBC research, the article contributes to the understanding of the role of cross-border maps in regional development and social dynamics.

Comparison of Mediterranean and Ukrainian Migration Impacts on V4 Countries

Rastislav Čief — 2024-08-12

Today’s Europe still resonates with the migration crisis connected with the arrival of migrants from Africa and Asia. Despite its massive impact on Central Europe, the significant migratory flow from Ukraine avoids considerable media attention. This article compares the effect of the Mediterranean migration and Ukrainian migration on V4 countries before the Covid-19 pandemic. There is an significant disproportion in the volumes of the compared migratory flows favouring the Ukrainian migration. However, Mediterranean migration became a substantial issue in elections in particular V4 countries. Our analysis focuses on the causes of different perceptions of both migratory flows and their impacts on recipient countries at the social and foreign policy levels. According to our research, different perceptions of the flows by the people and politicians are connected to the level of immigrants’ cultural and linguistic proximity and their potential integration. As the current situation suggests, the stabilisation of the political situation in Ukraine will take a more extended period, and the subsequent social and economic renewal will take another period. We assume the migratory flows from Ukraine will continue in the following years. Similarly, the Mediterranean migratory flows are likely to continue, probably with the shifts in their intensity, depending on their home countries’ situation and the Schengen regulatory measures. All of the above-mentioned issues put pressure on recipient countries to create a long-term immigration strategy that would enable them to manage the migration flow-related problems without societal destabilisation. The submitted interdisciplinary article uses the theoretical basis of migration studies (immigration policies, push and pull factors) and international relations (neorealism). The methodology of the text is anchored in the analysis of the relevant literature and statistical sources. The title of the article suggests the use of the comparison method.

Belonging Beyond Borders: Navigating Global Identities In Poland

Khrystyna Shelvakh — 2024-08-12

Poland has not traditionally been known as a major destination for immigrants compared to some Western European countries. However, migration patterns can change over time due to various factors such, as economic conditions, political developments, and changes in immigration policies. The globalized nature of contemporary society has led to increased human mobility, with Poland emerging as a destination for individuals from both the Global South and Global North more and more. Due to this reason, applying a mixed-methods approach, this article explores the complex nature of belonging by examining the influence of cultural, social, and institutional elements on the process of identity building and integration. A thorough comparison of research reveals significant differences in the everyday experiences of global citizens. First, cultural adaptation emerges as a critical factor influencing belonging, with individuals from the Global South often facing more unique challenges related to language, cultural practices, and perceived stereotypes. Second, social integration varies with relationships playing a vital role in the sense of belonging.

Actualisers, Believers, Workers, and Harvesters: The Nuances of the Identity Potential of the Transnational

Bastian Küntzel — 2024-10-12

In this article, I introduce the phenotypes of Transborder-Actualisers, -Believers, -Workers, and -Harvesters in an attempt to differentiate and add nuance to the understanding of who, and under what circumstances, uses the identity potential of a transborder space in developing a transborder identity. These new categorisations of border-dwellers derive from a qualitative study of 32 people who live and work across the Polish-German border, asking in what ways people who live transnational lives experience and describe their life and identity, and in what ways and for whom a border can become a constituting identity source? Any crisis amplifies what is invisible in daily life, such as inequalities, inefficiencies, structural problems, or identifications, making them more describable and thus available for empirical analysis. I conclude that a transborder, transnational identity, while theoretically available to all who live across a border, is not automatically adopted by all transborder dwellers but is an identity source mainly for a specific subset of people.