Book Review: The interdisciplinary concept of EU borders between geopolitical tensions

Reviewed book: The Borders of the European Union in a Conflictual World, Palgrave Macmillan (2024) – by Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt, Per Ekman, Anna Michalski, and Lars Oxelheim 

Book review by Irene Berta Meida Zalukhu and Astri Kusmarianti

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The book The Borders of the European Union in a Conflictual World - edited by Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt, Per Ekman, Anna Michalski, and Lars Oxelheim - is a timely and significant contribution to contemporary European integration studies. Published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2024, the volume examines the transformation of internal and external borders of the European Union (EU) in a global context characterised by rising geopolitical tensions, climate crisis, migration pressures, and military conflict. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates legal, political, and economic perspectives, the editors and contributors reflect on the meaning, function, and implications of EU borders from both theoretical and empirical angles.

The editors of this volume are senior academics in the fields of European law, political science and economics. Antonina Bakardjieva Engelbrekt is Professor of European Law at Stockholm University with a focus on Europeanisation processes. Anna Michalski and Per Ekman are researchers at Uppsala University specialising in foreign policy and regional integration, while Lars Oxelheim is Professor Emeritus of international economics known for his contributions to the study of European markets and economic governance. These diverse scholarly backgrounds explain the interdisciplinary approach that is consistent throughout the book’s chapters.

The introductory chapter by the editors provides a comprehensive historical overview of the evolution of borders in Europe. It highlights how borders have never been static geographical lines, but rather dynamic constructs shaped by power, conflict, and political consensus. The EU’s post-WWII integration project emerges in this context as a radical attempt to dissolve internal borders to foster peace, prosperity, and solidarity. However, the paradox of European integration is evident: while internal borders are being removed, external borders have increasingly been reinforced in the name of security and control.

Chapter Two, authored by Johanna Pettersson Fürst, focuses on EU border policy considering recent crises such as the refugee influx and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her analysis reveals a trend of what she terms “defensive integration” (p. 26), where both internal and external borders are being tightened simultaneously. This shift not only challenges the Schengen principles of free movement but also raises broader questions about how the EU reconciles its commitment to collective security with the protection of fundamental freedoms, such as the right to mobility, asylum, and privacy. In times of crisis, the trade-offs between efficiency in border control and the preservation of individual rights become more pronounced, prompting debate over the sustainability of integration under strain.

Chapters Three to Six explore economic and normative dimensions of border policies. Fredrik Sjöholm discusses how protectionism and trade restrictions, spurred by global rivalries, are influencing the EU's internal market and its trade relations. Marja-Liisa Öberg extends this discussion by analysing how the internal market functions as an external governance tool, offering third countries partial integration in exchange for regulatory alignment. Her chapter demonstrates how the EU uses its market power to project norms and standards beyond its territorial limits.

Ann-Kristin Jonasson critically examines the EU's normative ambitions, particularly in promoting democracy and human rights in the Southern Mediterranean in Chapter Five. She identifies a gap between rhetoric and practice, especially when strategic interests override the commitment to foundational values. Interestingly, she finds that climate-related norm promotion has been more successful, largely due to local ownership and reciprocal engagement.

Pär Hallström's chapter takes a broad geopolitical perspective by assessing the EU’s capacity to promote its model of social market economy globally. Despite demographic and economic decline, Hallström argues that the EU retains significant normative and legal influence. He emphasizes the role of soft power and legal instruments in fostering global adoption of democratic and market-oriented principles.

Chapter Seven, authored by Torbjörn Becker and Anders Åslund, addresses the security and energy dimensions by investigating the EU’s dependence on Russian energy before and after the Ukraine invasion. The authors highlight both the vulnerabilities and opportunities presented by the crisis. On one hand, energy dependency has exposed internal divisions; on the other, it has galvanised efforts toward a green transition and reinforced EU unity through coordinated policy responses.

Chapter Ten outlines a proposed European Marshall Plan for Ukraine. The authors argue that the EU has both the responsibility and strategic interest to support Ukraine's reconstruction. This plan is seen not only as a humanitarian gesture but also as an investment in regional stability and future enlargement.

In the final chapter, the editors return to the broader conceptual questions of borders and integration. They reflect on the inherent tensions between openness and protection, sovereignty and solidarity, national interest and supranational governance. Drawing on lessons from past crises and current geopolitical shifts, they underscore the necessity of recalibrating the EU’s border policies to maintain cohesion and credibility in an increasingly fragmented world.

The idea of a ‘European Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine in this book reflects the strategic resolve and solidarity values of the European Union. However, questions about the political feasibility and fiscal capacity to implement a plan of this magnitude should be raised. In addition to the challenges of coordination between Member States, the success of support to Ukraine's reconstruction also largely depends on domestic institutional reforms and the EU's ability to sustain long-term commitments. This book makes these arguments normatively, but without an in-depth examination of the dynamics on the ground that could hinder their realisation.

This volume’s greatest strength lies in its interdisciplinary scope and the coherence of its thematic structure. The use of contemporary case studies—ranging from Brexit and Ukraine to energy dependency and migration—renders the analysis both relevant and impactful. Moreover, the conceptual framework of "bordering" as a political and institutional process is consistently applied, allowing for nuanced insights into the evolving nature of borders.

However, some limitations should be noted. Chapters Five, Six, and Eleven lean heavily on normative prescriptions without sufficiently robust empirical validation. Additionally, the EU-centric focus, while justified, limits comparative reflections with other regional integration frameworks such as ASEAN or MERCOSUR.

Overall, this book makes an important contribution to the study of European integration and border policy in an increasingly complex geopolitical context. Its main strengths lie in its interdisciplinary approach and the consistent application of the concept of “borders” in its analyses. Although some sections are still more normative than empirical, the book succeeds in highlighting borders as arenas for the negotiation of identities, interests and power. Therefore, this volume is highly relevant to academics, policy-makers, and students interested in the internal and external dynamics of the European Union.

Acknowledgements

The authors of this book review would like to thank the Institute Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia for funding their master's studies and the publication of this book review.