Border surfers and Euroregions: Unplanned cross-border behaviour and planned territorial structures of cross-border governance

Abstract

The rise of cross-border relations is frequently linked to the decline of the nation state and the emergence of new forms of European governance. This article challenges some of the assumptions behind the policies stimulating regional cooperation along the national borders within the EU. It questions the assumption that regional cross-border governance is necessary for cross-border relations to develop. The article argues that the institutionalization of different territorial nation states with different social regulations not always hinders, but frequently stimulates cross-border relations. However, the territoriality of the EU planning practice of stimulating regional cross-border cooperation frequently hinders cross-border governance. The territorial administrative logic of cross-border cooperation and its governance drift away from the border, where cross-border behaviour is concentrated. The emergence of cross-border governance is further complicated while cross-border behaviour depends on national and international regulations outside the control of the midsized Euroregions. People living close to the border can sometimes profit from these differences. The fluid and fragmented groups of these border surfers are difficult to incorporate in the governance of territorial Euroregions. This article shows that unintended consequences of the EU planning practice of stimulating cross-border cooperation sometimes hinder the emergence of cross-border governance.