Fixed Lines, Permanent Transitions. International Borders, Cross-Border Communities and the Transforming Experience of Otherness

ABSTRACT

Beyond their most physical manifestations as fences, gates and border guards, international borders are social constructs experienced by individuals as they traverse them. Anchored on the ground as relatively fixed lines, international borders transform through time as the crossing is alternatively allowed or hindered depending on changing relations between countries. This is especially true given the social, cultural, and economic structures generated on either side of the border. In this article, we draw on three studies conducted since 2008: Melilla and Morocco, Lampedusa and Tunisia, Gibraltar and Spain. Looking at the recent history of local cross-border relations, this work analyzes how the tightening of previously porous borders altered existing sociocultural, economic and political relations on both sides of the frontier. As Lampedusa and Melilla became points on Europe’s external border, the almost osmotic cross-border relations previously experienced by locals diminished significantly: profound changes challenged their perception of identity and otherness. Similarly, throughout the 20^th century, the Gibraltar/Spain border operated both as a bridge across related communities, and as an almost insurmountable barrier when it was closed (1969–1982). This work explores the many ways in which borders transform local linguistic, cultural and economic constellations of neighboring “Others.”

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 In the documentary La Collina della Vergogna (The Hill of Shame) directed by Antonino Maggiore and produced by Libera Espressione (Free Expression).

2 The Schengen agreement, signed in 1985 by five member states of the European Economic Community (EEC), approved the dismantling of internal borders to create an inner zone of free movement of people, goods and capital. Since then, the space of free movement of people expanded to include today 26 European countries (Rigo 2007).

3 While Dr Orsini conducted the fieldwork studies in Melilla, Morocco and Lampedusa, the Economic and Social Research Council's project on Gibraltar was led by Professor Canessa.

4 All names of the interviewees are fictional.

5 Gibraltar's prominent Jewish population also came largely from Tétouan. They point to an exceptionalism for both communities: the Spanish Jewish population was the only significant community in Spain, which continued to be officially anti-Semitic until the second half of the 20^th century; and, for almost three centuries, Gibraltar was the only place on the Iberian Peninsula with a substantial Jewish community.

6 When Christians captured Gibraltar, lost it, and recaptured it again in the 15^th century there was no polity that was ‘Spain.’

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/K006223/1]; University of Bologna, Faculty of Political Science (scholarship to undertake research abroad); University of Essex, Department of Sociology (PhD studentship).