Herrschel, T. and Nancheva, N. 2014. Reconsidering Central-European Regional Science in the Context of Political and Social Transition. in: Koutský, J., J, Raška, P., Dostál, P. and Herrschel, T. (ed.) Transitions in Regional Science – Regions in Transitions: Regional research in Central Europe Prague Wolters Kluwer. pp. 73-97
| Chapter title | Reconsidering Central-European Regional Science in the Context of Political and Social Transition |
|---|---|
| Authors | Herrschel, T. and Nancheva, N. |
| Editors | Koutský, J., J, Raška, P., Dostál, P. and Herrschel, T. |
| Abstract | This chapter addresses two phenomena: (1) the complex nature of borders in the context of ‘transition’ as both fixed and dynamic lines of differentiation, and as passive product as well as active descriptor of spaces and territories;, (2) the discursive and programmatic distinction of ‘Central Europe’ within what under the old Cold War divisions between ‘East’ and ‘West’ was usually referred to simplistically as ‘Eastern Europe’. Both phenomena are interconnected – and it is this interconnection that interests here in particular. The distinction of a ‘Central Europe’ involves a purposive de- and re-bordering in discursive and, especially, ‘actual’ political-economic terms. Thus, discourse becomes political reality, something that is also at the heart of ‘borders’ and ‘bordering’, manifested by such geo-political factors as membership of the European Union, or a prevention of such through Moscow’s veto. Political-economic belonging involves drawing and re-drawing borders and notions of bordering as signs of belonging, not at least also in geo-strategic terms, as the current crisis about Crimea’s incorporation into Russia illustrates. This chapter proposes that borders and bordering involve just as much discursive politics – projecting self and other as either separate entities or essentially the same - as do actually existing state-administrative realities, such as trans-border engagement at personal and/or institutional level. |
| Keywords | Transition, Central Europe, post-communism, borders, trans-border, representation |
| Book title | Transitions in Regional Science – Regions in Transitions: Regional research in Central Europe |
| Page range | 73-97 |
| Year | 2014 |
| Publisher | Wolters Kluwer |
| Place of publication | Prague |
| ISBN | 9788074785603 |