Evolution of Political and Human Geography: Concepts and Theories
The Essence of Power and its Spatial Dimensions
The concept of power lies in the ability to influence the behavior of others. Power is typically exercised where coercion is legitimate or where obedience is rewarded by the community. The state, aiming to monopolize political power through sovereignty, ensures social order. For J.E. Sanchez, power manifests spatially, shaping territories.
Key factors in power relations include:
- Geographical Space: An organized, material means for power operation.
- Social Group Domains: How social groups control and utilize space.
- Force Location: Strategic positioning of forces to organize space.
Political geography examines how geographic space influences power dynamics.
Defining Geopolitical and Geostrategic Political Geography
Political Geography
According to Sanguin, political geography studies the relationship between geography and political institutions, analyzing the spatial consequences of political processes. Sanchez examines how competing social groups organize and structure space for their benefit. Lopez Cornfield defines political geography as the “study of political phenomena in their spatial context and the spatial effects of political processes.”
Ratzel’s Contributions
Ratzel, a pioneer in human geography, introduced concepts like living space, boundaries of intentions, and territorial struggle. His positivist approach posited that each state needs vital territory and expands at the expense of its neighbors.
The Interplay of Geography, Sociology, and Human-Nature Relations
Geography vs. Sociology
Sociologists focus directly on society, while geographers initially studied humans through their relationship with the earth, indirectly analyzing the social through nature or landscape. This led to questions about the extent to which society or human groups influence the landscape.
Ratzel and Human-Nature Relations
During the rise of positivism, the challenge was to empirically study the human-nature relationship. Regional geography, as an empirical science, faced difficulties, leading to a shift towards systematic and comparative methods.
Morphology of Geography and Cultural Landscape
Landscape morphology focuses on the physiognomic aspects of the cultural landscape, studying its genetic interpretation. This involves understanding how human groups and societies shape landscapes throughout history. The cultural landscape is seen as a whole, reflecting societal values and behaviors. Man acts as a structuring factor, a spatial fact, and a modifier of space.
Pluralism and Evolution of Geographical Thought
Pluralism affects geographical knowledge, encompassing various philosophical principles and approaches (French, German, American schools). Each trend has its own theoretical body, methods, key concerns, and social ethics.
This plurality arises because communities choose perspectives best suited to their needs. Paradigms shift when they fail to address societal problems. Modern science still operates within classical conceptual schemes, with limitations.
Historical Development of Geographical Thought
Classical antiquity laid the groundwork for general and regional geography (Eratosthenes, Ptolemy, Strabo, Herodotus). The modern age saw a renewal of these ideas, combining rationalism with empiricism (Humboldt, Ritter). Key principles included location, correlation, and causation, leading to geographical determinism.
This period also faced methodological challenges. Ecological determinism emerged as an alternative, emphasizing human-environment relationships. Regional geography became a unifying concept, linking chorological space, ecological-evolutionary relationships, and organic perspectives.
Quantitative and Theoretical Geography
Quantitative geography, influenced by logical positivism, sought order in spatial systems using mathematical models and deductive methods. This approach, however, faced criticism and limitations.
New Geography and Beyond
The “New Geography” led to a crisis in classical regional geography, redefining regions as systemic and functional. Behavioral geography introduced the concept of perceived space, emphasizing human spatial behavior as a function of perception. Radical geography critiqued quantitative approaches for neglecting social issues, advocating for a focus on power relationships and social justice. Humanistic geography, influenced by phenomenology, emphasized the subjective experience of space and rejected purely scientific explanations. It sought to understand the essence of human-environment interactions through qualitative methods and emphasized the role of individual perception and meaning.