Mental mapping of the border between Western and Eastern Europe: transforming conceptions
- DOI
- 10.5922/vestnikhum-2024-4-10
- Pages
- 114-123
Abstract
The article presents the results of using mental mapping in studying the concept of the border between Western and Eastern Europe. Since the collapse of the USSR the border under study has been transforming due to the aspirations of certain post-Soviet countries as well as the expanding scope of the Euro-Atlantic integration. The study is based on the survey of the MGIMO first-year students who drew the border between Eastern and Western Europe on a map and answered questions on travel frequency and Russia’s belonging to Europe. Three waves of the survey have been conducted sofar: in 2022 (before February 22), 2023 and 2024. This group of the respondents is of special interest, because they may form the core of Russia’s diplomacy in future. According to the survey, the “main” border of Western and Eastern Europe lies along the following route: the border between Russia and Finland — the Finnish Gulf — the Baltic Sea — the border between Poland and Germany — the border between the Check Republic and Germany — the border between the Check Republic and Austria — the border between Austria and Slovakia — the border between Austria and Hungary. This pattern overall remained the same over the whole period, however, in 2023 and 2024 the border became clearer, for instance, Croatia was more rarely identified as an Eastern European state, and the Baltics were more rarely attached to Western Europe. More frequent travelers were inclined to provide a more detailed and less stereotype pattern of the border. The study revealed unexpected gender differences in answers: women were more likely to push the border of the Eastern Europe closer to Russia.