Prolegomena to a political philosophy of borders. History, concept, and contemporary changes

Abstract

Borders delimit the spatial units in which political action takes place. They are not, however, a given object that can be assumed without further reflection. Thus, it is astonishing that until very recently the subject has not been attributed an adequate philosophical status. The border, apart from being a territorial demarcator or a line on the map, is a social construct subject to the political, economic and social conjuncture of each moment in history, and therefore subject to relevant mutations. In the current context of globalization, beyond the question of the extinction of borders or the maintenance of their functions, structural transformations have occurred that alter their material image and their practical scope. It is essential for political philosophy to take note of these changes.