This book explores how identities, public spheres and collective memories are being transformed in cross-border areas, contributing to the broad sociological context of Europeanization. Offering case studies on the German-Czech-Austrian, and Czech-Polish-German borderlands, the book introduces original primary data on cross-border cooperation. This data is interpreted using the concept of active borders, which approaches borders as a source of multicultural competence and cognitive capacity. In turn, the authors argue that Europeans need to treat borders, both territorial and symbolic, as specific cultural forms. Active borders allow an unprecedented level of cross-border cooperation and integration, and foster a better understanding of differences, rather than re-embedding them or constructing others. Accordingly, the authors contend that active borders promote more dynamic, open and resilient societies, and represent crucial prerequisites for the success of the European integration project.

Autorentext

Karel B. Müller is a Professor of Political Science at the School of Political Studie CEVRO Institute in Prague (Czechia). His research focuses on topics of Europeanization, civil society, democracy and the public sphere. He is actively engaged in a number of NGOs, public policy groups and in municipal politics. He is an author of several books on above mentioned topics. He also regularly publishes in vocational journals. Ludek Fráne is a PhD student of Regional and Political Geography at the Faculty of Science, Charles University (Czechia), and project manager in the Regional Development Agency of South Bohemia. His research focuses on topics of European Neighbourhood Policy, cross-border cooperation within and outside the EU and spatial integration of border areas. Kamil Fleissner works at the Czech Supreme Audit Office. Previously, he worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Economics in Prague and as a researcher at the University of Granada. His Research focuses on topics of collective memory, nationalism and immigration, especially in the Spanish context. Daniel Kný works at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, in Section for European Affairs. He pursued his PhD in Political Science at the University of Economics in Prague. In his research he has dealt with the phenomenon of European identity, and the role identities play in decision-making processes.