Towards a Relational Perspective on Border

Regimes
(BORDERS AND BORDER REGIMES IN SPACE AND TIME)
Author: Prem Kumar Rajaram
Outline and Group Members
Introduction (Aleena)
BORDERS AND BORDER REGIMES IN SPACE AND TIME
-Absolutist Accounts of Borders and Border Regimes (Taimur Mughal)
-Relativist Accounts of Borders and Border Regimes (Fasih Alam)
-Relational Understandings of Borders and Border Regimes (Aftab Alam)
-Forget the Border (Abdullah)
Conclusion (Aleena)
Introduction : BORDERS AND BORDER REGIMES IN SPACE AND TIME

● Let's talk about borders ● We're going to explore how people

—those lines on maps think about borders in terms of time,
that tell us where one space, and wider social processes.
place ends and another
begins.
Border Regimes Beyond the Basic Level
● Basic Level (border regimes are the guidelines)
● But it goes beyond that – it's about the actors involved, the interests at
play, and the norms that become visible when we look at borders in
specific ways. Picture walls, bridges, camps, and fences these are the
tangible aspects of border regimes.
● Some see borders as mappable and controllable, putting the state at
the centre of their analysis. Others see borders as dynamic, shaped by
various actors over time.
Setting the Scene
● Border regimes are a bit like the backstage managers of borders.
● It's not just about rules; it's also about the people, interests, and
behaviors
● Books and articles about border regimes can be a bit tricky
● For instance, some folks really get into studying how borders are
controlled—more police, more rules.
● Others look at the broader social questions, like what communities
and authority mean when dealing with borders.
Time and Space Matters
● Some see borders like fixed points on a map, easy to control.
● Others see borders as changing, like relationships.
● Forget the Border? Sounds Weird, Right?
● Some argue we should forget about the border itself and focus on the
history that led to its existence.
Bringing it all Together

● To wrap things up, we're not just talking about lines on a map.
● We're exploring the stories and histories behind borders.
● By looking at the bigger picture, we can understand why borders act
the way they do, especially in terms of power, authority, and
community.
Decoding Borders: Three Perspectives and Beyond
-Absolutist Accounts of Borders and Border Regimes
-Relativist Accounts of Borders and Border Regimes
-Relational Understandings of Borders and Border
Regimes
-Forget the Border
Absolutist accounts of borders and
border regimes
•Space as fixed and divisible
•Precise positions of individuals
•Measurability and calculability as key features
•Managerial state and increased border policies (post 9/11)
Genealogy of borders and borders securitization

• Bigo's concept of 'Governmentality of unease'

• Walters idea of 'delocalization of borders'
• border regimes and their social impacts
Relativist Accounts of Borders
Borders are subjective and vary depending on perspectives
and connections.
What is the Relativist Accounts of Borders?

●These are perspectives that acknowledge the subjectivity and

context-dependence of the concept of borders.
●These views often challenge the idea that borders are
objective, fixed entities.
●Instead emphasize the role of social, cultural, and political
factors in shaping our understanding of borders.
Key Points
● Cultural and HistoricalContextt

● Social Constructivism:

● Power and Politics

● Fluidity and hybridity

● Identity and belonging

● Globalization

● Ethical consideration
Examples
How cultural ties can clash with sovereign
authority in borderlands.
Example 1

●Israel-Palestine Border Issues:

The borders between Israel and
the Palestinian territories,
particularly in the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, remain a source of
conflict. Issues related to
settlements, security barriers, and
the movement of people continue
to impact the region.
Example 2

● South China Sea Disputes:

Territorial disputes involving
multiple countries, including China,
Vietnam, the Philippines, and others,
in the South China Sea have led to
tensions over maritime borders. The
construction of artificial islands and
competing territorial claims have
been significant issues.
Example 3
● US-Mexico Border and
Immigration Policy: The border
between the United States and
Mexico has been a focal point for
discussions on immigration
policies, border security, and
human rights. Controversies
surrounding the construction of
barriers, changes in asylum
policies, and the treatment of
migrants have been ongoing
concerns.
Relational Understandings of Borders and Border Regimes

● Borders are not just lines on a map, but complex

systems of control and interaction.
● It looks at the networks and interactions that connect
different places and people.
● The idea of "plural sovereignties."
● Borders are constantly being made and remade.
● Example: The U.S - Mexico Border
Forget the Border
Conclusion

● Absolutist views see borders as strict control points.

● Relativist perspectives envision them as vast, involving many actors
beyond the territorial lines.
● Relational perspective, Instead of fixating on borders themselves, it
encourages us to explore the relations that shape the emergence and
naturalization of border ideas.
● Surprisingly, the author suggests forgetting about the border to truly
understand it. Rather than obsessing over borders alone, we should
analyze them in connection with historically emergent practices.
Thankyou