Abstract

Research objective: The aim of the paper is to identify the economic, political, and social problems surrounding the issue of the British–EU border, taking as theoretical background the concepts and measures of International economics.

The research problem and method: The research problem undertaken is the problem of borders within the context of disintegration. The research methods used were the analytical-descriptive method, comparative method, and case study.

The process of argumentation: Currently, in the European Union we observe two parallel processes; on one hand the process of enlargement by accepting new members, on the other the process of its disintegration, which is exemplified in the United Kingdom exit. Although in the light of current political turmoil it cannot be ruled out that another EU member will leave the EU, e.g. Italy, long-term integration tendencies seem to be more permanent than disintegrative ones.

Research results: With regard to the causes and causative forces of both these opposing processes, one may risk the assertion that while the underlying economic processes are based more on economic reasons, in the case of disintegration the political motives prevail. Both historical disintegration experiments as well as those concerning Brexit, which the political motives (referendum) decided unambiguously, lead to such conclusions.

Conclusions, innovations, and recommendations: The border issue requires an interdisciplinary approach, which in the economic aspect is placed within the framework of international economics, particularly the theory of integration and trade policy. It also requires analysis in the light of regional policy, especially if cross-border economic cooperation is analyzed.