Introduction to the Course Flashcards
What is the first theoretical perspective of political geography?
Spatial-Analytic
Quantitative revolution (1960s) and natural sciences
- Scientific: laws describe human behaviour
- Criticisms: human laws ; human agency ; power
What is the second theoretical perspective of political geography?
Political Economy
– Classical political economy (Marx, Mills, Smith)
– Inequality (in power, class, wealth, states) and institutions
– Criticisms: structuralist/functionalist/agency;
culture/ideology
Influential thinkers - John Stuart Mills and Adam Smith, as well as David Harvey
What is the third theoretical perspective of political geography?
Postmodern Approach
– 1960s-1970s end of modernity
– Subjectivity not objectivity
– Language, discourse, culture, ideology
– Criticisms: reality; obscure terminology; causality
What areas does political geography study and look at ?
- State formation and administration
- Historical entities
- Nationalism and ethnic conflict
- Political and social movements
- Places and the politics of identities
- Geopolitics
What are the challenges of analyzing world affairs through the lens of political geography ?
- Official/Orthodox vs. Critical
Ex: Cold War or the War on Terror
- Changing and Qualitative Factors (military, bureaucracy, economics, politics, ideology, culture, race, gender etc.)
