The Borders Within: Causes and Fixes of Geographic Divides

by Michael Donnelly

Overview

Geographic divisions that exist internally within countries – ‘the borders within’ – can be seen in how much people earn and levels of economic growth, as well as in health and educational outcomes.

With fresh thinking, this book explores what lies beneath these geographic divisions and what maintains them. Its novel framework shows how different social class groups derive radically different meanings from place that heighten geographic divisions.

Drawing on research with over 200 young people across 17 different UK localities, this book challenges orthodox policy understandings of regional development, putting forward an alternative starting point for how we address borders within countries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447369080
Publisher:	Policy Press
Publication date:	05/29/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	206
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Michael Donnelly is Professor of Education and Social Policy at the University of Bath and leads the Education, Work and Social Change research group.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. The problem of geographic divisions

3. Knowing a place

4. Places worth knowing

5. People worth knowing

6. Place is positional

7. Place is person-centred

8. The flawed logics of regional development

9. Growing local economies

10. Educational fixes?

11. Dismantling the borders within

Editorial Reviews

This is a book of significant importance. Based on 200 interviews with young people across the UK, it attests to the profound weightiness of geographical differences in their lives.” Johanna L. Waters, UniversityCollege London

From the Publisher