Borders: A Very Short Introduction offers insights into the form and function of historical and contemporary political and social boundaries. The authors show how and why borders have been, are currently, and will undoubtedly remain controversial topics and at the forefront of global headlines for years to come.

• Chapter 1: A Very Bordered World


• Chapter 2: Borders and Territory in the Ancient World


• Chapter 3: The Modern State System


• Chapter 4: The Practice of Bordering


• Chapter 5: Border Crossers and Border Crossings


• Chapter 6: Cross-border Institutions and Systems


• Chapter 7: A Very Bordered Future


• Further Reading


• Index

Alexander C. Diener is an Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Kansas. Joshua Hagen is Professor of Geography at Marshall University.