
The Borders Within
Causes and Fixes of Geographic Divides
Michael Donnelly(Author)
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 29. May 2025
Book
Hardback
206 pages
978-1-4473-6906-6 (ISBN)
Description
Geographic divisions that exist internally within countries - 'the borders within' - can be seen in how much people earn and levels of economic growth, as well as in health and educational outcomes.
With fresh thinking, this book explores what lies beneath these geographic divisions and what maintains them. Its novel framework shows how different social class groups derive radically different meanings from place that heighten geographic divisions.
Drawing on research with over 200 young people across 17 different UK localities, this book challenges orthodox policy understandings of regional development, putting forward an alternative starting point for how we address borders within countries.
With fresh thinking, this book explores what lies beneath these geographic divisions and what maintains them. Its novel framework shows how different social class groups derive radically different meanings from place that heighten geographic divisions.
Drawing on research with over 200 young people across 17 different UK localities, this book challenges orthodox policy understandings of regional development, putting forward an alternative starting point for how we address borders within countries.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a book of significant importance. Based on 200 interviews with young people across the UK, it attests to the profound weightiness of geographical differences in their lives." Johanna L. Waters, University College LondonMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
467 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-6906-6 (9781447369066)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 12/2026
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€42.50
Not yet published

E-Book
05/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€40.99
Available for download

E-Book
05/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€231.99
Available for download
Person
Michael Donnelly is Professor of Education and Social Policy at the University of Bath and leads the Education, Work and Social Change research group.
Content
1. Introduction
2. The problem of geographic divisions
3. Knowing a place
4. Places worth knowing
5. People worth knowing
6. Place is positional
7. Place is person-centred
8. The flawed logics of regional development
9. Growing local economies
10. Educational fixes?
11. Dismantling the borders within
2. The problem of geographic divisions
3. Knowing a place
4. Places worth knowing
5. People worth knowing
6. Place is positional
7. Place is person-centred
8. The flawed logics of regional development
9. Growing local economies
10. Educational fixes?
11. Dismantling the borders within