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

by Alexander C. Diener (Editor), Joshua Hagen (Editor)

Overview

Focusing on unusual international border shapes, this fascinating book highlights the important truth that all borders, even those that appear "natural," were created by people. The unique and compelling histories of some of the world's oddest borders provide an ideal context for accessible and enlightening discussions of cultural globalization, economic integration, international migration, imperialism, postcolonialism, global terrorism, nationalism, and supranationalism. Each contributor'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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742556362
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
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

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

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