<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper argues that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a de-bordering mechanism makes a positive contribution to border security. Three central concepts—de-bordering, re-bordering and co-bordering—are used to examine the future of borders, and further develop the notion of the “cycle” of borders. This research adopts a political science perspective and combines the theory of borders with the Copenhagen School and Paris School of security, bearing in mind the BRI as an access strategy. Furthermore, the BRI elements of connectivity are central to de-bordering. Finally, this paper maintains that the BRI makes different contributions to border security, that borders are “alive”, and that they are the result of cooperative or antagonistic human interactions in which asymmetry in perception is the leading cause of conflict.</p></abstract>

This paper argues that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a de-bordering mechanism makes a positive contribution to border security. Three central concepts—de-bordering, re-bordering and co-bordering—are used to examine the future of borders, and further develop the notion of the “cycle” of borders. This research adopts a political science perspective and combines the theory of borders with the Copenhagen School and Paris School of security, bearing in mind the BRI as an access strategy. Furthermore, the BRI elements of connectivity are central to de-bordering. Finally, this paper maintains that the BRI makes different contributions to border security, that borders are “alive”, and that they are the result of cooperative or antagonistic human interactions in which asymmetry in perception is the leading cause of conflict.

The Mesmerizing Journey from Gyeongju to Lisbon: The BRI as a Mechanism of De-bordering, Re-bordering, and Co-bordering

Institute for Research on Portuguese Speaking Countries

TalTech Journal of European Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This paper argues that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a de-bordering mechanism makes a positive contribution to border security. Three central...

The Mesmerizing Journey from Gyeongju to Lisbon: The BRI as a Mechanism of De-bordering, Re-bordering, and Co-bordering

Published Online: Nov 07, 2019

Page range: 123 - 152

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes-2019-0017

Keywords
border theory, BRI, co-bordering, de-bordering, re-bordering, security

© 2019 Francisco José Leandro, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Mesmerizing Journey from Gyeongju to Lisbon: The BRI as a Mechanism of De-bordering, Re-bordering, and Co-bordering

Published Online: Nov 07, 2019

Page range: 123 - 152

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes-2019-0017

Keywordsborder theory, BRI, co-bordering, de-bordering, re-bordering, security

© 2019 Francisco José Leandro, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
border theory, BRI, co-bordering, de-bordering, re-bordering, security