Migrations and Historical Development Paths—A Comparative Project Between Switzerland and Slovenia: Introduction to the Thematic Section

Abstract

Switzerland and Slovenia are characterized by different historical developments that have shaped their urban and industrial development, social characteristics, and identity dynamics. However, they share some geographical similarities: they all encompass mountainous regions, have a widespread integrated peasant economy, and have experienced significant cross-border migration and mobility events. Influenced by the different historical roles of the border, the migration practices that developed between the 18th and the first half of the 20th century had a significant impact on the specificities of the economic and social development of the border areas of the two countries.