Sorting Machines

Steffen Mau is Professor of Macrosociology at the Humboldt University of Berlin.

"Elegantly written and sharply argued, Steffen Mau's book examines the changed function of borders in the era of globalization. Selective citizenship, algorithmic governance and the securitization of mobility are some of the mechanisms through which freedom of movement is shown to be the privilege of only a few wealthy elites. An essential and eye-opening analysis of territorial authority in the 21st century."—Lea Ypi, London School of Economics and Political Science"Territorial borders are complex institutions by which states organize hierarchies of (un)desirability of non-citizens. Steffen Mau employs his great analytical sensitivity to investigate border regimes in policy areas such as migration, labour markets and health, EU integration, separatism and war. As the building of fences and walls has again become a global growth industry, this timely and highly readable book offers important insights on the politics of territoriality."—Claus Offe, Hertie School of Governance"compelling and eminently readable"—European Journal of Cultural and Political Sociology"a concise analysis of the impact of globalization on borders"—Journal of Borderland Studies

• Acknowledgements1.    Borders are back!2.    Statehood, territoriality and border control3.    Opening and Closing: The Dialectic of Globalization4.    Fortification: Border walls as bulwarks of globalization5.    Filtering borders: Granting unequal opportunities for mobility6.    Smart borders: Informational and biometric control7.    Macroterritories: Dismantling internal borders, upgrading external borders8.    Extraterritorializing control: The expansion of the border zone9.    Globalized bordersNotes