Phantom borders: The role in territorial identity and the impact on society

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the phenomenon of phantom borders as a special type of relict (historical) borders. These borders still evoke strong emotions in public opinion, remain the subject of political discourse and, therefore, can be used in political mobilization, strengthening or transforming national, ethnic or regional identities. Phantom borders usually divide territories with different identities of the population, while maintaining in their eyes a certain legitimacy. The need to study phantom boundaries is explained by many reasons. Firstly, recently established borders often cause nostalgia for "fair" old borders which potentially threatens to exacerbate international conflicts. Secondly, borders inherited from the past are usually significant in state building. Thirdly, phantom borders have an impact on many fields of activity, from agriculture to transport. Fourthly, phantom borders determine the cultural landscape of the borderlands. A vivid expression of the significance of historical boundaries is their ability to attract tourists. Some countries like Poland and Ukraine are "classic" cases for studying the relationship between historical and cultural borders. In many countries, phantom borders are former frontiers associated with the history of the formation and development of state territory - for instance, kresy in Poland. The author suggests four conceptual approaches to the study of phantom borders. In the final section the author considers the case of Russia - a country with large territory and complicated history of its formation and settlement where one can find all types of phantom borders.