The "borders" are not actually territorial borders. Territorial borders only extend to the planets themselves. The "borders" are actually areas where your cultural influence is greater than that of the other races.

So, similar to the high seas, open space is open for free passage of all peoples and races. It would be hard for any civilization to assert any type of control over millions of cubic parsecs of space that they might claim their own.

That being said, some of the AI civs at higher difficulty levels do find it disturbing if you park a fleet nearby some of their stars--as a precursor to an attack. And they may take drastic action (i.e., war).

As usual there are some errors in this statement and proposal.

1.The borders are entirely influencal.

2.If it isn't of the militaristic nature it doesnt prove a threat.

3.The A.I will be pisssed on higher levels of diffuculty if you put a transport within a few spaces of a planet.

4. Lots of glitches would ensue if the proposal is accepted.

Explanation:In some ways this is already in the game, in others it isnt.

Evalution:If this was to be implemented in the game it would be quite realistic but bugs and glitches are a sure game killer. For example a scout ship with no weapong goes next to a planet, it is very possible the AI would glitch and take this as a threat. Although it works practically, it doesnt work techinically.

To the Great DreadArchon - Drath Lt. of the Painful level.
Yes, if you stake out your border and destroy any ships that cross into your
space, then IT IS YOUR space. But this would make enemies of any friendly or
neutral races whose ships that you blast.