A border dispute is a disagreement over the precise location of a boundary that separates different nations or states. This type of conflict often arises from historical claims or geographical ambiguity and can escalate into diplomatic conflicts, or in severe cases, military confrontations. These disputes can also have significant economic and cultural implications. They can be resolved through legal arbitration or through the involvement of international organizations like the United Nations.
This article focuses on 5 factors (resource scarcity, locational feature, domestic politics, geopolitical competition and culture difference) that have influenced border and territorial disputes and how they impact the global economy. In addition, we will discuss how cartographers deal with the complexities of mapping disputed borders.
The controversies over the borders between countries highlight how political boundaries are not always clear-cut and reflect the complexity of international relations. The disputed border between Cambodia and Thailand is an example of how tension over the borders can affect trade, and the damage caused by nationalism can have ripple effects. The border dispute has impacted the economic and people-to-people relations between the two countries and can have negative impacts on the regional stability. Both nations have been accused of using the heightened tension and nationalism to promote their own interests and benefit from the situation. This has resulted in a rise in nationalistic sentiments which can lead to more skepticism of foreign investment and trade. Moreover, the increased tension is also hindering tourism between the two countries.