Agency

From Geography

Agency 'Literally, the ability to act' (Aitken & Valentine, 2006, p. 338).Commonly used by many scientists to refer the ability of humans to make choices and decision by there selves. Those choices influence the shape of their own lives. In other words everything in the world is equivalent to a intentional individual actor. This notion of self determination has played a important role in the humanistic critique on structuralist approaches to geography (Aitken & Valentine, 2006, p. 137-338). Anthony Giddens is a founder of the concept of agency.

This is quite the contrary to structure. In structure, it is the recurrent patterned arrangements which influence or limit the choices and opportunities available (Barker, 2005).

Literature

Aitken, s. & Valentine, G. (2006). Approaches to Human Geography. SAGE publications Ldt, London. Barker, C. (2005). Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. London: Sage. p.448

Contributors

• Published by Lotte den Boogert, september 19th 2012.

• Enhanced by Robert Wursten, october 10th 2012.