Introduction

This introduction presents the main thesis of the book, maintaining that the birth of the EU border agency Frontex has represented a decisive step towards a post-national management of borders. The agency has created a laboratory for political practices in which some of the fundamental cornerstones of the classical conception of sovereignty are constantly put under pressure. After a discussion of some of the key concepts underpinning the analysis of the nature and functions performed by Frontex, the introduction synthetizes the book's main arguments by offering a synopsis of each chapter.