A ‘Moving Target’: Analysis of the European Continent and its Borders

Abstract

The European continent might be seen as a definite entity. However, there is complexity under the surface: for starters, there is no clear sense of the geographical boundaries of the territory due to the continuity of land at East; over the time, this has raised the question of where does Europe end and Asia begin, and whether Europe should be considered a continent despite not complying with the criteria. Consequently, many intellectuals have preferred to regard it more as an imaginary space, prioritising the political, cultural and historical dimensions. This thesis intends to demonstrate the necessity to consider Europe as a 'moving target', a flexible concept that has changed – and will continue to change – through time. By examining significant periods of time and narratives, it will be visible how, time and time again in the past, borders have fluctuated, institutions have waned, identities have been re-shaped. In more recent history, the idea and identity of Europe have been redrawn once again due to the heavy influence of international organisations and their regulations. With this analysis, I will try to define more clearly today's main aspects of the European continent.