The Impact of Marginalization and Globalization in the Czech-German-Austrian Mountain Borderland in the Former Iron Curtain Area

Abstract

This chapter deals with the responses to globalization and marginalization processes within the Sumava-Bayerische Wald—Muhlviertel Euroregion, which is situated across the territory of three countries—Czechia, Austria, and Germany. In the past, this mountain region was divided by the Iron Curtain, which segregated the territory politically, economically, socially and culturally. The political-military events of the 20th century contributed significantly to the marginalization of this area. After the collapse of the Iron Curtain, the major barrier for local development was removed, thus effects of globalization started to be observed in this area. Subsequently, a new integration process began to affect the region after the accession of Czechia into the EU in 2004 and the common Schengen area in 2007. The Euroregion still faces many problems due to its isolation: negative population growth, poor infrastructure quality, a high unemployment rate, less favorable natural conditions for agriculture, and an overall minimal economic development, which is also limited by strict nature conservation in Sumava National Park. These marginalization processes also affect, to a varying degree, the German and Austrian parts of the area. Due to the existence of marginalized borderlands, international institutions appealed to the Euroregions along the Czech border to promote development and cooperation among the regions on both sides of the border. They organized various projects, funded by the EU; however, their effect on the development of Euroregions, in general, particularly in the case of the Euroregion Sumava-Bayerische Wald—Muhlviertel, is not yet evident.