Seeing Like a Complex Border: On the Methodology of Complexity-Oriented Border Research

Abstract

Complexity has become an important point of reference in contemporary border research. Drawing on selected approaches to borders, this chapter elaborates the central methodological cornerstones and challenges of complexity-oriented border research. In addition to sketching a research attitude that can be described as seeing like a complex border, it becomes apparent that different understandings of complexity are circulating. In order to increase the degree of reflection of border research, the relationship of different 'border complexities' must be spelled out more carefully.