SUBSUMPTION OF SPACE : a theory of marxist geography

This book takes a Marxist perspective to explore the dynamics of space. By employing dialectical materialist logic, it explains how a heterogeneous spatial configuration emerges through the dialectical process to transcend the contradiction generated by the subsumption (incorporation) of an sich pristine spaces into society, with a particular focus on the context of capitalism. The key concept here is 'subsumption', as presented by Marx in 'The Results of the Immediate Process of Production'. This book is first of its kind that thought-provokingly demonstrates the dialectical logic of the production of space through the application of Marxist logic of subsumption. It succinctly argues that heterogeneous spatial configurations are produced through the society's effort to transcend these contradictions, or the subsumption of space, which transforms pristine space subsumed into a one-point society in formal terms toward a heterogeneous spatial configuration, resulting in an und für sich produced space or space subsumed in real terms. The book also suggests the role of the produced space in potential utilization of space in social struggles. Based on this conceptual framework, this book discusses the built environment, the space embedded in people's minds, and the effects of the capitalist business cycle on space. Ultimately, it presents a compelling case for activists to harness the space produced in their social struggles. Introduction The Core Category of Marxist Geography Developments Among Past Critical Geographers The Structure of This Book References Contents About the Author 1 The Fundamental Moments in Formulating Marxian Spatial Theory 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Ascent and Descent 1.3 The Unified Dialectics of Ascent and Descent in the Opening Chapter of Capital Volume 1 1.4 Formal and Real Subsumption: The Dialectical Process to Incorporate a Fresh Logical Moment into Marxist Theory 1.5 The Classification of Science References 2 The Space and Its Subsumption into Society 2.1 The Space: The Logical Moment of Geography 2.2 The Spatiality Marxist Geography Should Assume at Outset 2.3 Pristine Space: The Logical Point of Departure of Marxist Geography 2.4 Two Attributes of Pristine Space: Absolute Space and Relative Space 2.5 Subsumption of Space 2.6 Space and Power References 3 Absolute Space 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Negation of Society by Absolute Space and Externalities 3.3 Types of Territoriality Produced Through the Subsumption of Absolute Space 3.4 Bounding: The Real Subsumption of Absolute Space 3.5 Boundary Porosity 3.6 Conclusion References 4 Relative Space 4.1 Properties of Relative Space and Its Dialectics 4.2 Annihilation of Space 4.3 The Real Subsumption of Space by Eliminating Space Itself: Agglomeration 4.4 Spatial Integration and Network 4.5 Conclusion References 5 Relational Space 5.1 Components of Subsumed and Produced Space 5.2 Multiple Layers of Space Superimposed upon Each Other 5.3 The First Form: Territorial Integration 5.4 The Second Form: Land-Use Coordination 5.5 Conclusion References 6 The Built Environment 6.1 The Nature of the Built Environment 6.2 The Subsumption of the Built Environment 6.3 The Built Environment in Capitalism 6.4 Digression: The Relocation of the Elements of the Built Environment in the Market Economy References 7 The Autogenous Bond of Space and Body 7.1 Spatial Configuration and Lived Space Carved into the Body 7.2 The Manipulation and Alienation of the Autogenous Bond by State and Economic Powers 7.3 Manipulation of Cognitive Space by State and Economic Power References 8 Business Cycles, Falling Rates of Profit and the Dynamism of Capitalist Space 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Stage 1: Stagnation and Recovery 8.3 Stage 2: The Amassing of Contradictions During the Period of “Moderate Activity” 8.4 Stages 3 and 4: Overexcitement and the Crash 8.5 The Tendential Fall in the Rate of Profit and Emergence of Monopoly Capital 8.6 Neo-liberalism and the Globalisation of Capitalism References 9 Spatial Struggles for Emancipation 9.1 Spatial Praxis to Produce Counter-Space 9.2 The Dominant Space of Power Versus the Counter-Space of the People 9.3 Struggles around Absolute Space 1: Contiguity and Bounding 9.4 Struggles around Absolute Space 2: The Dialectics between Wirkungsraum and Action Space 9.5 Struggles around Relative Space: Counter-agglomeration, Counter-Networks and “Stray Spaces” 9.6 Struggles Around Relational Space: “Poor People’s Optimum” and Christaller’s Central-Place System 9.7 Struggles Around Spatial Scale: Porosity and Scale Jumping 9.8 The Emancipation from Authoritative Space: A Case of Struggles Against the Human Rights Infringements by the Child Guidance Centres in Japan References Afterword References Author Index Index