Abstract

BASSOLS, Narcís  and  CORREA FERNANDEZ, José Rafael. Borders in Europe: From history to everyday life. Estud. front [online]. 2017, vol.18, n.35, pp.131-149. ISSN 2395-9134.  https://doi.org/10.21670/ref.2017.35.a7.

This article reflects on European borders and their everyday dynamics from a cross-border perspective. The article begins with a discussion of recent events that question current border policies in the European Union, reviews the literature on borders and border territories, and finally moves on to a discussion of the everyday effects of cross-border practices on the inhabitants of border spaces. Occasional reference is made to borders in the Americas to complete the picture of this topic. Although the issue of security is indeed relevant, we focus on the economic and social dimensions of cooperation. Three aspects are essential for border residents who attempt to use the advantages of the territories for their global nature: work, shopping, and place of residence. In conclusion, there has been a tendency toward the softening of borders and greater integration of border zones in the European Union.

Keywords : border; cross-border space; border integration; European Union; Schengen Area.