The Formation of Cross-Border Regions: The Latin American Experience

Abstract

This article discusses the nature and determining factors of cross-border regions based on the interaction of diverse structuring factors associated with the history, scales and regional sociological realities. After an analysis of the processes that occurred in North America and Europe, the text discusses the Latin American specificity following from the non-existence of post-national political projects or strong accumulation strategies that jeopardize borders within the continent. On the other hand, in Latin America, cross-border regions are structured within a multiplicity of “micro” processes and relationships that unfold in everyday life. This poses heuristic challenges in several senses, and among them, notably, situations such as the feminization of cross-border circuits and the strong presence of indigenous peoples with their specific territorial visions in them.