Literature lecture 1 Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are the two ends on the spectrum of the planning theory debate?
Neo-liberalism: Seeks to understand and explain the purpose and impactso f planning as a function of the capitalist mode of production
Post-structuralist: reject a single, totalising way of knowing
How does social theory distinguish itself from natural sciences?
not only reflects upon society but can also shape it in a way that natural sciences
cannot.
Name the six broad categories in the assessment of theories.
- Normative theory: how the world ought to be and ideas about how to achieve this state. ideas regarded as theories of planning (Marxist, liberal and communicative or collaborative)
- Prescriptive theories: how to go about things, or the means → termed theories in planning (cost-benefit analysis, mixed scanning)
- Empirical theory: explains and interprets reality and focuses on causal relationships and dependent and independent variables. Hypotheses form part of it that allow it to be tested and adjusted.
- Models: simple representations and pictures of reality that do not always include hypotheses but are testable
- Conceptual frameworks/perspectives: a linguistic analysis of situations and ideas leading to perspectives and critiques the might otherwise be lost.
- Theorizing: a catch-all category that covers thinking and debating ideas and other theories to ascertain their suitability and applicability.
Explain the philosophy of Lakatos
science will never abandon a theory unless there is a better one to replace it
Explain the philosophy of Kuhn
science proceeds on the basis of revolution; works within paradigms or views of
reality the encapsulate current knowledge of a subject → the relative view of science:
attention turned to the subjective and normative aspects of science due to Kuhn’s view of science process, debunking the scientist as a (all-the-time) rational being.
Explain how truth is a relative concept.
It varies from context to context, relative to language and culture. It is based on higher-level narratives or ‘meta-narratives’ that involve values and assumptions.
What is communication of beliefs.
through choice of words (style, nuance, etc.) users of language express opinions and ideologies, this is consequently an inherently political act based on a unique individual interpretation of a situation and a socially shared stock of meaning. → meaning is itself founded on the premise that ideas or theories are generated by the social forces dominant in and characteristic of their age.
Explain the interrelationship between structure and agency
- Recognise the duality of structure: the manner in which structures enable behaviour, but behaviour can potentially influence and reconstitute structure
- Recognise the duality of structure and agency: transcend the dualism of deterministic (structuralist) and voluntaristic (intentionalist) views of agency
- Clear link: social structures are both constituted by human agency, and at the same time are the very medium of this constitution (Giddens, 1976)
What is assemblage thinking?
places are subject to government, departments, policies, professional doctrine
and the whims of international capital (structure); neither do places simply have autonomy and discretion (agency) → instead there is an interplay of forces where a range of actors mobilise in ways that make different kinds of government possible
- Shifts the focus of theoretical reflection from theory being uncontentiously linked to policy
and practice to how urban policies are produced in global-relation context, are transferred and reproduced from place to place, and are negotiated politically in various locations - Clear acceptance of multiple, competing theories jostling to inhabit and influence places
Explain how planning theory can be seen as a battleground. For what battle? what is it over?
the creation of knowledge and theory,
the distribution and (mis)use of power;
the translation of theory into practice
Explain how there is a symbiotic relation of planning
Government needs planners to undertake its policies, while planners and their professional body need the government as an employer and to legitimise their claim to professionalism.
