Sociologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.

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2001:04 The Bearers of Development of the Cross-Border Community on Czech-German Border

František Zich

This article summarises the information gathered during the sociological research on the bearers (agents) in the formation of the cross-border community on the Czech-German border. It is based on empirical surveys and sample studies that were carried out between 1989 and 2000 within the framework of the project "The Development of the Cross-Border Community on the Czech-German Border", supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic (project no. 403/98/1420). The research attempted to address the following ques-tions: how much and how intensive are the cross-border relations between the inhabitants of the Czech-German borderlands at the present time; what is the character of these rela-tions and what are their aims; what circumstances influence them both positively and negatively; who are the agents in the development of the cross-border community; is it at all possible at present to speak of a cross-border community? (More detailed information from the empirical research and surveys are summarised in the collection "The Develop-ment of the Cross-Border Community on the Czech-German Border", Sociologický ústav AV ČR, 2000.) The study includes an overview of the main institutional agents in cross-border relations, and focuses mainly on sociological characteristics (motivation, value ori-entations, attitudes) of the individuals who on the Czech side maintain or initiate cross-border contacts. It also takes note of some political and historical connections in the crea-tion of cross-border civic ties on the Czech-German border. In addition, the meaning be-hind the terms 'border' and 'cross-border community' are also considered, and the changes that have taken place on the Czech-German border during the 1990s in connection with the process of European integration are also evaluated.

Summary

The fall of the iron curtain and the ensuing changes after 1989 ushered in a chance for re-gions, which for decades were separated from each other by a barbed wire-fence, to begin to create normal, cross-border civic relations. In the case of the Czech Republic this relates primarily to the Czech-German and the Czech-Austrian borders, where since 1990 new contacts have been developing and existing ones have been deepened between citizens and institutions. To a large degree, the relations between people on this side of the Czech-German border, which not long ago could be easily passed (the border between the former German Democratic Republic), have also been changing. In the 1990s, the number of con-tacts between Czechs and Germans has grown remarkably. The borders are 'broken down' through various forays and ingressions on the basis of co-operation and contacts between people and institutions, which are gradually forming 'normal', cross-border civic relations.
The starting point for both countries, and thus also for the borderlands, in establish-ing cross-border relations was and still is however an unequal one. For these reasons, the processes behind establishing cross-border relations have an asymmetric character. This is primarily due to the differing economic situation in both countries, and their socio-cultural specificities. The asymmetric nature of the circumstances, initiatives, and formation of cross-border social ties establishes further social inequality between Czechs and Germans, both on the general level and in the area of differences within the main social groups.
The processes of expanding contacts for the establishment of cross-border co-operation in the 1990s are gradually leading to the development of a cross-border commu-nity and to the creation of normal cross-border civic relations. The existing relations, from the qualitative and quantitative viewpoint, and in terms of content, are not yet sufficiently intense, and for the time being there is no sufficiently diversified and consolidated social network between the citizens of both countries. A 'normal, natural, and balanced cross-border community' is founded on the following assumptions:
- Political relations and political will create the foundations for a good neighbourhood, including 'historical balance' and respect for the status quo. (The situation is however such that in these areas, alongside political agreements and genuine co-operation between the Czech and German states and other institutions, there also exist discomforting activi-ties and demands of resettled Germans.)
- A cross-border community requires a sufficiently open and 'passable' state border, fa-cilitating contacts between individuals and institutions without any difficulty. (The bor-der with Germany still functions as a barrier with checked border crossings. Equally there is a question of whether the current number of 30 border crossings is sufficient; on average the distance between border crossings is 30 km.)
- A natural borderland community needs a sufficient quantity and intensity of daily civic contacts. (At present the quantity of bearers of cross-border contact on the Czech side is 5% of the borderland population; on the German side the percentage is even lower.)
- The foundation of a 'normal' community is made up of relations operating on the basis of spontaneous civic co-operation. (For the time being, the majority of more intensive forms of relations primarily occur through institutions.) Here also the duration of the civic ties is a factor (random contacts at present dominate).
- In order to achieve a normal cross-border community it is important that there is equality between the positions of the citizens upon initiation of the relations and during their maintenance. (There exists a strong, particularly economically conditioned asymmetry in this case, including an asymmetry in the motivations for establishing relations, and in which the Czech side is disadvantaged.)
- A balanced cross-border community should be characterised by symmetry at least in the main interests in co-operation. (We can see that on average there is a notably stronger interest in co-operation on the Czech side, both on the level of institutional and civic co-operation.) Even though this asymmetry in interest is on the whole understandable with respect to what the participating sides are to gain, it is fact that to a significant degree is acts as a break to development in creating a cross-border community.
In keeping with the content and aims of the individual and institutional cross-border con-tacts and activities, as yet only the rudiments of natural, social 'gravitational centres' are being formed in the Czech and German borderlands. On the Czech side this primarily in-volves the locations that Germans regularly visit to make use of services offered by the Czech side (recreational and spa centres, shopping centres). On the level of spontaneous civic contacts, cultural activities and institutions are in this respect less notably in evi-dence. A certain organisational base for these centres is found in the locations of eurore-gions and their activities. It should be noted that 'gravitational centres', where Czechs and Germans could spontaneously and repeatedly meet as citizens are not sufficiently devel-oped on either the Czech or the German side. Their formation is not merely a matter of organisational work. If they are to be of more lasting significance, they must emerge as a result of natural, and therefore clearly long-term, processes and encounters between people on the basis of a common interest.
Research on the bearers of Czech-German cross-border ties shows that in comparison with the whole population of the Czech Republic they demonstrate a higher level of social activity, openness, and tolerance in the area of assessing relations between nationalities. On the level of attitudes, they show a higher degree of benevolence in matters of co-operation with Germany, but also with other countries, and overall have a positive relation-ship towards the processes of European integration.

Keywords

Border, cross-border contacts and relations, cross-border community, cross-border co-operation, competition of interests, civic principle, bearer of cross-border relations, agent of cross-border activities, institutional bearer of cross-border relations, euroregion, political and historical connections, asymmetry of relations.