Frontiers of Identity

Robin Cohen is Emeritus Professor of Development Studies at the University of Oxford. For the first decade of his academic career, he worked on comparative labour issues. His books included Labour and Politics in Nigeria (1974) and the co-edited collections The development of an African working class (1975), International Labour and the Third World (1987), African Labor History (1978) and the current title, Peasants and Proletarians. He subsequently wrote on the themes of migration, globalization and diasporas. His best-known work is Global diasporas: An introduction (3rd edition, 2022).

• Introduction. 1. Six Frontiers of a British Identity 2. Expulsions and Deportations: The Practice of Anthropemy 3. Asylum: The Shrinking Circle of Generosity 4. The Detention of Aliens and Asylum-Seekers 5. Sanctuary and the Anti-Deportation Movement 6. Inclusion and Exclusion: Britain in the European Context 7. Theoretical Implications and Conclusion.

Review of original edition of Frontiers of Identity: ‘While objectivity is ensured with the use of an extensive and balanced range of sources, and by Cohen’s fabulous control of the language, the author’s deep concern about recent trends of exclusion is never far from the surface’ Khalid Koser, New Community 21 (2). 'The notion that we only have an identity by defining ourselves as something we are not, is a key theme in the analysis and serves to inform the vast bulk of this work which is well-written and carefully analysed.' Kenneth Christie, Australian Journal of Political Science, 32 (3) 1996.'[Is] Europe going to maintain its generosity [to outsiders]? Robin Cohen's passionate and detailed book, concentrating on the British case casts much light on this question. Cohen's book opens with a brilliant chapter on the components of British identity.' John A. Hall, Sociology, 30 (10) 1996. 'Robin Cohen pints out the 'Celtic Fringe' marks one of those fuzzy frontiers of Britishness: "for the English, the boundary is marked by irresolution, uncertainty, incongruity, derogation or humour"' Bernard Deacon, International Journal of Regional and Local History, 5 (2) 2009.