Borderlines and Borderlands: Political Oddities at the Edge of the Nation-State

by Alexander C. Diener University of Kansas, Joshua Hagen

Overview

From our earliest schooldays, we are shown the world as a colorful collage of countries, each defined by their own immutable borders. What we often don't realize is that every political boundary was created by people. No political border is more natural or real than another, yet some international borders make no apparent sense at all. While focusing on some of these unusual border shapes, this fascinating book highlights the important truth that all borders, even those that appear "normal," are social constructions. In an era where the continued relevance of the nation state is being questioned and where transnationalism is altering the degree to which borders effectively demarcate spaces of belonging, the contributors argue that this point is vital to our understanding of the world.

The unique and compelling histories of some of the world's oddest borders provide an ideal context for this group of experts to offer accessible and enlightening discussions of cultural globalization, economic integration, international migration, imperialism, postcolonialism, global terrorism, nationalism, and supranationalism. Each author's regional expertise enriches a textured account of the historical context in which these borders came into existence as well as their historical and ongoing influence on the people and states they bound.

To view more maps from the David Rumsey Map Collection, visit www.davidrumsey.com.

Contributions by: Eric D. Carter, Karen Culcasi, Alexander C. Diener, Joshua Hagen, Reece Jones, Robert Lloyd, Nick Megoran, Julian V. Minghi, David Newman, Robert 'stergren, and William C. Rowe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742556362
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Alexander C. Diener is associate professor of geography at Pepperdine University. Joshua Hagen is dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: Borders, Identity, and Geopolitics
Alexander C. Diener and Joshua Hagen
Chapter 2: The Border Enclaves of India and Bangladesh: The Forgotten Lands
Reece Jones
Chapter 3: The Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Boundary: Stalin's Cartography, Post-Soviet Geography
Nick Megoran
Chapter 4: The Wakhan Corridor: Endgame of the Great Game
William C. Rowe
Chapter 5: The Caprivi Strip of Namibia: Shifting Sovereignty and the Negotiation of Boundaries
Robert Lloyd
Chapter 6: The Renaissance of a Border That Never Died: The Green Line between Israel and the West Bank
David Newman
Chapter 7: Locating Kurdistan: Contextualizing the Region's Ambiguous Boundaries
Karen Culcasi
Chapter 8: Russia's Kaliningrad Exclave: Discontinuity as a Threat to Sovereignty
Alexander C. Diener and Joshua Hagen
Chapter 9: Defining Liechtenstein: Sovereign Borders, Offshore Banking, and National Identity
Robert 'stergren
Chapter 10: Misiones Province, Argentina: How Borders Shape Political Identity
Eric D. Carter
Chapter 11: Point Roberts, Washington: Boundary Problems of an American Exclave
Julian V. Minghi
Chapter 12: Conclusion: Borders in a Changing Global Context
Alexander C. Diener and Joshua Hagen

Editorial Reviews

A great book. I'm going to highly recommend it as a supplementary reading.--Joseph L. Warner, Florida State College, Jacksonville

The forces of globalization may be challenging the traditional prerogatives of the territorial state, but this volume clearly shows that we are a long way from a postterritorial world. Through a fascinating set of case studies--ranging from the prominent to the obscure--the book offers compelling evidence that interstate boundary conflicts are persistent, important features of the international scene.--Alexander B. Murphy, University of Oregon

This book presents a convincing argument that forecasts of a borderless world are, at best, naïve. Reinforced by fascinating little-known facts and a conscious commitment to historical background, this impressive collection of insightful, carefully edited case studies hangs together nicely as a lively, up-to-date exploration of boundary issues in both the developed and the developing worlds. It's also a good read for anyone curious about the world.--Mark Monmonier, Syracuse University

From the Publisher

A great book. I'm going to highly recommend it as a supplementary reading.

Joseph L. Warner

This book presents a convincing argument that forecasts of a borderless world are, at best, naïve. Reinforced by fascinating little-known facts and a conscious commitment to historical background, this impressive collection of insightful, carefully edited case studies hangs together nicely as a lively, up-to-date exploration of boundary issues in both the developed and the developing worlds. It’s also a good read for anyone curious about the world.

Mark Monmonier

The forces of globalization may be challenging the traditional prerogatives of the territorial state, but this volume clearly shows that we are a long way from a postterritorial world. Through a fascinating set of case studies—ranging from the prominent to the obscure—the book offers compelling evidence that interstate boundary conflicts are persistent, important features of the international scene.

Alexander B. Murphy