ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 discusses the developments of the Western and the Eastern border regimes in the Cold War period. Although the internationalisation of passport regimes continued, no real globalisation took place as two blocs—with their passport and border regimes—were moving in the opposite direction. In fact, even the Western regime changed controversially. On the one hand, small passport-free zones were created which were later merged, creating what is known today as the Schengen area. On the other hand, contrary to the inner deterritorialisation, Western Europe as a whole became a kind of “fortress” whose outside borders were heavily guarded. This territorialisation process was triggered by growing immigration, first in Britain in the 1950s and later in the whole region. Similarly, the borders of the Soviet Union were strengthened, albeit due to an opposite reason: the Soviets tried to block the exit of the population. The system of internal passports, closed cities, border zone restrictions, and stringent punishments for all offenders remained in effect. The “thaw” of the border regime lagged far behind the political, economic, and cultural changes, at least until Gorbachev assumed power.
