Borders

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 49, Heft 154, S. 537-548

Abstract

Anthropological notions of borders as spatial, social, &/or cultural discontinuities are investigated, discussing differences in the notions of political, cultural, natural, & social boundaries. Current anthropological interpretations of cultural boundaries perceive the muddling, rather than the maintenance, of cultural discontinuities. The distinct approaches of multiculturalists & interculturalists with regard to cultural discontinuity are reviewed; it is noted that multiculturalism utilizes cultural differences as a means of resistance against hegemonic structures. Contrary to Samuel P. Huntington's (1996) argument that cultural differences have replaced political & ideological attitudes, the increase of boundary-crossing individuals has brought disparate cultures into contact. It is concluded that anthropologists should investigate the relationship between society & actual national borders, the interplay between social & cultural discontinuities, & the viability of the notion of global homogenization. 2 Photographs, 25 References. Adapted from the source document.