At Europe's Edge: Migration and Crisis in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea has become the deadliest region for migrants, and the EU's response remains fragmented and short-sighted. At Europe's Edge investigates why the EU prioritizes fortification of its external borders, why migrants continue to cross the Mediterranean, and how EU member states on the southern periphery respond to their new role as migration gatekeepers. The book examines the relationship between the EU and Malta, a small state with an outsized role in migration politics, and combines ethnographic methods with macro-level analyses to demonstrate how the Mediterranean is an important space for the contested construction of Europe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Mediterranean Sea has emerged as the most perilous region for migrants worldwide, with a steadily increasing death toll that has been a concern for many years. Despite this, the European Union's response to the migration crisis remains fragmented and limited in scope. Politicians have portrayed these migration flows as an unprecedented emergency, emphasizing the need for stricter control of EU's external borders.

In the context of these developments, "At Europe's Edge" delves into the reasons behind the EU's prioritization of fortifying its external borders. The book explores why migrants continue to risk their lives by crossing the Mediterranean Sea, despite the increased risks. It also examines how EU member states on the southern periphery are responding to their new role as migration gatekeepers.

The book addresses these questions by examining the complex relationship between the EU and Malta, a small state that plays a significant role in migration politics due to its location at the crossroads of migration flows and controls. Through a combination of ethnographic methods and macro-level analyses, the chapters weave together the experiences of policymakers, practitioners, and migrants, highlighting how the Mediterranean Sea serves as a crucial space for the contested construction of Europe.

This book offers a profound understanding of Malta's unexpected influence on EU migration governance, as well as the critical role that migrants and their clandestine journeys play in shaping EU and Maltese migration policies, influencing international relations, and contributing to Malta's political power. By focusing on the margins, the book pushes the boundaries of our knowledge of the global politics of migration, asylum, and border security.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 153 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198881827