Space and Power

Paul Hirst was one was one of the most original thinkers of his generation. This book is being published post-humously after his tragic death in 2003. Written with verve and lucidity, it is a scholarly account of the various ways in which space is configured by power, and in which space becomes a resource for power. Erudite and exciting, the book combines new and old theory in an imaginative, yet pragmatic, way. It is typical of Hirst’s ability to make inspiriational leaps across theoretical and disciplinary boundaries, critically combining insights from social theory, politics, history and geography.

This is an important, forward-looking book that will influence academic debate for many years to come.

List of Illustrations.

Preface by Grahame Thompson.

Acknowledgements.

Part I.

1. Space and Power: Architecture, Politics and War.

2. Cities, Globalization and Governance.

3. Politics and Territory.

Part II.

4. The Spatial Dimensions of Power.

5. The Frontier, Conquest and Settlement.

6. War, Environment and Technology.

7. Information, Space and War.

Part III.

8. Foucault and Architecture.

9. The Defence of Places: Fortification as Architecture.

10. The Defence of Places: From Sieges to Silos.

Notes.

Index.

"A challenging, accessible and extremely thought-provoking volume which raises a plethora of critical questions about the future of space and power that ought to cause geographers to question too-comfortable theoretical suppositions."
British Journal of Sociology

"There is much within its impressive content that I believe can be of interest to group analysts. This book is steeped in historical appreciation and detail."
Group Analysis

"Space and Power is a compelling and often witty critique of 'the end of geography' thesis, and a searching examination of the contemporary relevance of the work of Febvre and Vidal de la Blache. An important book by a truly first-rate thinker."
Stuart Corbridge, London School of Economics and Political Science

Paul Hirst was formerly Professor of Social Theory, Affiliated to Birkbeck College, University of London Paul Hirst was one was one of the most original thinkers of his generation. This book is being published post-humously after his tragic death in 2003. Written with verve and lucidity, it is a scholarly account of the various ways in which space is configured by power, and in which space becomes a resource for power. Erudite and exciting, the book combines new and old theory in an imaginative, yet pragmatic, way. It is typical of Hirst’s ability to make inspiriational leaps across theoretical and disciplinary boundaries, critically combining insights from social theory, politics, history and geography.

This is an important, forward-looking book that will influence academic debate for many years to come.