Structure

From Geography

The term Structure has in different traditions, different meanings. In the structuralist tradition of social theory, a structure means a set of stable and stabilizing patterns of social life that shape human agency. In structuration theory, structures are seen as rules and recources inherent in social practices (Lippuner & Werlen, 2009, p. 39)

Structure in Marxist Geography

Structure plays an important role in Marxist Geography. Marxist geography can be seen as a critical geography. In Marxist geography the basic structure of society is capitalism. Marxist geographers see this as a constraint for human action. Therefore Marxist geography attempts to change the basic structure of society (Richard, 1985). On of the main Marxist geographers is David Harvey. Marxist geography is criticized due to its deterministic view of human action. Criticizers argue that there is no room for human agency and life depends on constraints.

Reference

Harvey, D. (2010). On the history and present condition of geography: an historical materialist manifesto.

Lippuner, R. & Werlen, B. (2009). Structuration Theory. University of Jena.

Richard, P. J. (1985). An Introduction to Marxist Geography .

Enhanced by Koen Molenaar