Transborder Cooperation and Identities in Galicia and Northern Portugal

Abstract

This article deals with the design and effects of state-centred strategies over a specific border area. Nationalist ideologies, culture, identity and persistence of historical facts are considered altogether in the case study of transborder relationships across a part of the SpanishPortuguese boundary. Special attention is paid to political discourses and claims for recognition of transborder cultural feature and identity. As a matter of fact, the border's opening processes underwent in Europe and in other regional contexts around the world show clearly the permanence of nationalist and state-centred ways of understanding the world. Nationalism is reproduced by institutions and individuals through the consideration of cultural ties and differences across borders. Meanwhile, the globalising context in which we live makes necessary the assertion of multiple territorial and non-territorial identifications capable of overcoming the modern political framework based on states and boundaries.

Useful funds, disappointing framework: tourism stakeholder experiences of INTERREG

“…Interestingly, this study demonstrates that despite several similarities between Norway and Sweden, these differences are still serious enough to warrant external assistance in the form of an INTERREG project, and are even alluded to as reasons for project "failure". This furthers our understanding that borders where controls are minimal do not necessarily translate into regions with more successful CBC (Ilbery & Saxena, 2011;Pinheiro, 2009). Another rationale for applying for INTERREG derives from the perception that cross-border tourism cooperation will lead to increased tourism in border regions.…”

“…However, despite a long tradition of cooperation between the two countries, this does not necessarily result in problem-free CBC since, in reality, borders remain entrenched in people's day-to-day lives and working practices (Prokkola, 2009), thus creating and perpetuating difference (Agnew, 2008). In fact, various scholars have demonstrated that the absence of a physical border in the landscape can even lead to a strengthened desire to emphasise differences between people (Ilbery & Saxena, 2011;Pinheiro, 2009). This happens even in the highly homogenous region of Scandinavia (Löfgren, 2008).…”

“…a wildlife reserve) (Timothy, 1999). Even though borders often impose various constraints that hinder cross-border tourism development (Nauwelaers et al, 2013;, by cooperating, destinations on either side can work towards a common vision whereby the cross-border region is effectively treated as one coherent entity for planning and management purposes (Pinheiro, 2009). Finally, close cooperation between countries, which share a border can lead to a reduction in regional rivalries, nationalism and stereotyping, all of which are factors that may obstruct the tourism potential of cross-border regions (Carson et al, 2014;Greer, 2002;Ilbery & Saxena, 2011).…”

“…Increasingly though, scholars have examined the European Union context where, especially within Schengen, border controls have been virtually eliminated. Specifically, these studies have sought to understand how cross-border cooperation (hereafter CBC) occurs when the physical presence of a border is no longer obvious (Greer, 2002;Hartmann, 2006;Ilbery & Saxena, 2011;Ioannides et al, 2006;Klatt & Herrmann, 2011;Liberato et al, 2018;Löfgren, 2008;Nilsson et al, 2010;Pinheiro, 2009;Prokkola, 2007;2011a, 2011bProkkola et al, 2015;Scott, 2000;Stoffelen, 2018;Więckowski, 2018). Such studies reveal that achieving cross-border tourism cooperation is a rewarding yet challenging endeavour.…”

La geografía española actual. Estado de la cuestión

“…En esa misma década, aparecen otros trabajos sobre distintos aspectos del contexto transfronterizo, como la movilidad (Palmeiro y Pazos, 2008), las estructuras de cooperación (Palmeiro, 2009) o las dinámicas territoriales en el conjunto del noroeste de la Península Ibérica (Lois, Pazos y Piñeira, 2009). En la década de 2010 se incorporan nuevos investigadores al Departamento de Xeografía de la U. de Santiago de Compostela (USC), como Juan M. Trillo.…”