Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.50.2.2
Cross-border Communities in the Republic of Croatia: Local Identity in Gorski kotar, the Croatian-Slovenian Cross-border Region
Marta Zorko
orcid.org/0000-0002-8458-7384
; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Šulc
orcid.org/0000-0002-3810-7220
; Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Kovačić
; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Because of the fact that there has been a change in the understanding of the term “border“ in the contemporary world, more and more consideration has been given to the research of subjects in cross-border areas. Researchers have started to focus more on the relations between subjects in those cross-border regions and micro regional centers in order to understand the structure and the dynamics of those areas. In addition, the term “border“ has changed
in its geopolitical sense within the triangle of entities: power-area-inhabitants. That is the reason why only multidisciplinary research is adequate enough for the study of cross-border regions. This paper analyzes the social cohesion and identities in the northwestern part of Gorski kotar (Croatia) in the Croatian-Slovenian cross-border region. Using the combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the authors argue that there is a high level of social cohesion in that area and a specific identity of local inhabitants. The nature and structure of both are analyzed in this paper. The authors analyze how a specific location influences interpersonal relations and the perception of self in that environment.
Keywords
identity; social cohesion; Gorski kotar; cross-border communities; co-operation in cross-border regions; the Republic of Croatia
Hrčak ID:
89169
URI
Publication date:
28.9.2012.
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