Environment and Planning D: Society and Space

Soja, E W

doi: 10.1068/d090257pmid: N/A

Dalby, S

doi: 10.1068/d090261pmid: N/A

In the 1980s international relations theory has been undergoing a major methodological and theoretical debate which has challenged much of the recent disciplinary orthodoxy. This has been inspired by the introduction of contemporary critical social theory and poststructuralist themes into international relations by a new generation of practitioners. Given the close intellectual proximity of international relations to political geography's concerns with geopolitics, these current debates are of great relevance to any attempt to retheorise global politics from the perspective of political geography. Although the recent revival of interest in political geography has led to a considerable interest in rethinking the historiography of the subdiscipline and to reevaluating its tainted past, the necessary accompanying theoretical rethinking has not progressed in a similar fashion. The theoretical issues discussed in the contemporary international relations literature have much to offer political geographers in pursuing this important task.

Gibson, K

doi: 10.1068/d090285pmid: N/A

The growth of the international export coal market during the 1960s and 1970s prompted, in Australia, a massive injection of global and national capital into coal-mine and town development, especially in rural areas of Central Queensland. A new and distinctive set of ‘localities' were created. In this paper some of the social processes set in motion by this development are examined with particular focus upon the role of capitalist class processes in the region. A number of struggles involving miners and their employers, town residents and the state, and workers and residents which have occurred over the last twenty years are discussed. The complex and at times contradictory interactions of class and nonclass processes within these struggles are explored, each case highlighting a different moment in class (and place) formation.

Hannah, M; Strohmayer, U

doi: 10.1068/d090309pmid: N/A

In an effort to respond to the so-called ‘postmodern challenge’ in a way that continues to allow for an understanding of social interaction in time and space, geographers have increasingly turned to the theory of structuration put forward by Anthony Giddens. This theory paints a picture of the human agent as being constrained by sociohistorical circumstances and yet being fundamentally autonomous. The success of Giddens attempt to transcend the traditional dualism of individual and society seems to have been taken for granted by now. In this paper it is shown that a careful, ‘deconstructive’ scrutiny of key concepts as they appear in Giddens's major texts reveals insurmountable problems inherent in language. Specifically, the categories ‘duality of structure’, ‘practical consciousness’, and ‘mutual knowledge’ are each in their turn required to perform two contradictory tasks: The simultaneous blending and separation of determinism and autonomy. The gist of Giddens's attempts to circumvent this task is outlined through a seemingly thorough consideration of the effects of language, and the continued popularity of structuration theory is speculated on in light of its ultimate failure.

Yiftachel, O

doi: 10.1068/d090329pmid: N/A

The study is an analysis of the influence of Israel's land-use policies in the Galilee on the political behaviour of the region's Arab population, between 1975 and 1988. Theories pertaining to human territoriality, ethnic regionalism, and ethnic spatial mix are used to analyse the consequences of four key land-use policies implemented by Israeli authorities in the Yehiam region, which forms a large part of the Galilee. The four policies examined in the paper cover the areas of landownership, Jewish settlement, municipal boundaries, and unauthorised dwelling construction. These policies are shown to pursue the goal of controlling the Arab minority through territorial containment, in an attempt to maintain political stability, that is, prevent the possibility of irredentism. However, the detailed analysis of Arab reactions to the implementation of the four policies shows that the long-term influence of these land-use policies may be counterproductive: Arab reactions have become increasingly militant, thereby challenging Jewish control and political stability.

Shurmer-Smith, P; Buttimer, A; Zolberg, V L; Smith, S J; Freeman, C; Cooke, P; Kearns, G; Glennie, P D; Walby, S; Kirby, R S;