New Books in Critical Theory Kerry Gottlich, "From Frontiers to Borders: How Colonial Technicians Created Modern Territoriality" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
Jan 14, 2026
In this engaging conversation, Kerry Goettlich, an International Relations scholar and associate professor at City St George's, explores the origins of modern territoriality. He argues that linear boundaries emerged from colonial practices, challenging the notion that they were merely imposed by Europeans. Goettlich delves into the role of boundary experts, particularly at the Paris Peace Conference, and reveals the complexities of delimitation versus demarcation. He also discusses how colonial surveying shaped our current understanding of borders and their persistent influence today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Territory Is A Technical Practice
- Modern territoriality rests on technical practices of delimitation and demarcation rather than solely on sovereignty.
- Kerry Goettlich frames boundaries as expert-driven projects linking political authority to surveying knowledge.
Maintain Boundaries Like Infrastructure
- Treat boundaries as maintained technical infrastructures that require sustained expert attention.
- Build institutions and practices for delimitation, demarcation, and monument upkeep to keep lines meaningful.
Sovereignty Doesn’t Explain All Borders
- Decoupling territoriality from sovereignty clarifies how non‑sovereign colonial entities produced linear boundaries.
- Goettlich contends territorial sovereignty is a poor single explanation for the rise of modern boundaries.
