Unwriting Brexit Bridging Fictions and Liminal Aesthetics Within the UK’s Hostile Environment

Abstract

The article considers the various frictions and fissures in contemporary European politics. Contrary to its historical genesis, this politics often aims at division rather than community, a development epitomized by Brexit. The creation, reinforcement, and protection of borders seem to be a core aim of this policy, which can be observed in EU foreign policy in the narrower sense, but also in the central framing narratives that the EU pursues in the context of border politics and migration in order to fortify the ‘fortress Europe’, as does the UK with its Hostile Environment policy. Contrary to the supposed populist success of such policies, which were clearly demonstrated by the Brexit referendum vote, there is also widespread skepticism towards such disintegrating governance.