Rajaselitykset

Rajaselitykset is a Finnish term used in political geography, sociology and media studies to describe the discursive explanations surrounding borders and border-control policies. The concept frames how actors such as governments, security agencies, media outlets, political movements and publics construct and contest the meaning and function of borders. Rather than a single fixed definition, rajaselitykset encompasses competing narratives about why borders exist, whom they protect, and how strictly they should be enforced.

Analysts study rajaselitykset by examining official statements, legislative debates, press coverage, and public discourse. Common themes include security concerns, humanitarian considerations, economic impact, national identity, and legal or technological measures such as surveillance and screening.

The term is primarily used in Finnish-language scholarship and is related to broader concepts in border studies, such as securitization of migration and discourse analysis. It is used to compare frames over time or across countries and to illuminate how policy choices are justified or challenged in public debate.

In practice, analyses of rajaselitykset help explain why border policies gain or lose legitimacy, how media framing influences opinion, and how historical memory and geopolitical context shape contemporary border thinking. Related topics include border studies, framing and securitization of migration.