’Seeing Like a Border’: Towards Multiperspectivalism

Abstract

The chapter offers a critique of consensus (mutual recognition of borders) in border studies. It is argued that borders do not have to be visible to all in order to be effective. The case for a multiperspectival border studies is then outlined: borders cannot be properly understood from a single privileged vantage point and bordering processes can be interpreted differently from different perspectives. The idea of’ seeing like a border’ is introduced as a development of (as well as critique of) the work of Mignolo and Mezzadra and Neilson, amongst others. The chapter revisits Berwick-upon-Tweed and demonstrates that’ seeing like a border’ and borderwork complement each other.