Walls and Borders in International Relations Up for Discussion at Symposium

Élisabeth Vallet and Charles-Philippe David of the University of Québec at Montréal, will speak on “Do Good Fences Make Smart Borders?” at The University of Tampa on Tuesday, March 4. The event, part of the University’s Honors Symposia series, begins at 4 p.m. in Reeves Theatre and is free and open to the public.

During the lecture, Vallet and David will discuss the history of the “wall” as a mainstay of international relations, beginning with the building of the Great Wall of China in the 3rd century B.C. The two will argue that after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new international landscape emerged, ushering in an era of globalization in which states appeared irrevocably condemned to obsolescence, a world without borders.

They will then discuss how in the aftermath of 9/11, borders, walls and barriers, have made a comeback and reappeared as key instruments for the protection of state sovereignty, leading to the question: do good fences make smart borders?

Vallet is researcher in residence at the University of Québec at Montreal’s Centre for United States Studies and an associate professor of geography. David is professor of political science, co-president of the Centre for United States Studies, as well as of the Centre for Geopolitical Studies, and Raoul Dandurand Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Québec at Montréal.

For more information, contact the Honors Program at (813) 257-3545 or honors@ut.edu.