F5 - International Relations, National Security, and International Political EconomyReturn

The aim of this study is to present the contemporary research of the Schengen area and to prove theoretically as well as empirically that the notion of Fortress Europe is only a misleading conception that the media may find attractive, but which does not depict the reality fully. The reason is, that he concept of a fortress evokes a contrast between the inside and the outside. Nevertheless, the empirical data show that the binary oppositions like 'inside - outside', 'security - free movement' or 'EU citizens - third country citizens' are simplified. Firstly, the paper focuses on the Schengen area itself. Secondly, the contemporary research in the field of the Schengen co-operation is presented. Thirdly, the study aims at the analysis of the current situation and links it to the context of the contemporary research. It presents quantitative as well as qualitative data. This is the main contribution of the paper since the current development is not very well explored.

The process of the economic globalization limiting the autonomy of national subjects completed the disintegration of the Westphalian system. The rebirth of regionalism, as another phase of the world economy regionalization, is a logical defensive reaction. However, apart from the regional labour division, a new regionalism emerges, interconnecting even distant subjects. Next to the usual economic reasons, the new regionalism is motivated also by the strengthening of regional resistance. It is the strategy that plays a major role in the development of regionalism.