Military Geographies

Military Geographies is about how local space, place, environment and landscape are shaped by military presence, and about how wider geographies are touched by militarism.

• A book about how local space, place, environment and landscape are shaped by military presence, and about how wider geographies are touched by militarism.
• Sets a new agenda for the study of military geography with its critical analysis of the ways in which military control over space is legitimized.
• Explores the ways in which militarism and military activities control development, the use of space and our understanding of place.
• Focuses on military lands, establishments and personnel in contemporary peacetime settings.
• Uses examples from Europe, North America and Australasia.
• Draws on original research into the mechanisms by which the British government manages the defence estate.
• Illustrated with maps, plans and other figures.

List of Figures.

Acknowledgements.

Series Editors' Preface.

List of Abbreviations.

1. Military Geography, Militarism’s Geographies.

2. Military Space.

3. Military Economic Geographies.

4. Militarized Environments.

5. Military Landscapes.

6. Challenging Military Geographies.

7. The Study of Military Geographies.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index

"Military Geographies ... is a must for anyone who opposes the military's use of our special landscapes. This authoritive book, by an expert in military land-use, is about the paternalistic, arrogant and unnecessarily secretive way in which the military occupies land. Woodward warns that 'we should be cautious about assuming an automatic economic benefit to a locality from military presence'. A fascinating book, and a useful campaigning tool." (Open Space, Vol 28/2, Spring 2005) Rachel Woodward is a Lecturer in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. She is the co-author of Leadership and Local Power in Contemporary Rural Europe (2002) and has written numerous journal articles on military land use, on rural development, and on gender and the military. Military Geographies discusses how local space, place, environment and landscape are shaped by military presence, and about how wider geographies are touched by militarism.

The book sets a new agenda for the study of military geography with its critical analysis of the ways in which military control over space is legitimized. Drawing on her own original research, the author explores the ways in which militarism and military activities control development, the use of space and our understanding of place. She concentrates on military lands, establishments and personnel in contemporary peacetime settings, highlighting the pervasiveness of these forces in shaping everyday lives.

The geographies under scrutiny are primarily those of advanced capitalist economies, particularly in Europe, North America and Australasia. Maps, plans and other figures are used to illustrate the text where appropriate.

"This lively and engaging book sets an exciting new agenda for research into militarism and its geographies. A rich insight into militarism's 'hold' on places."
—Neil Ward, University of Leeds

"A pioneering study of military geographies bringing all the issues into sharp focus. By examining the environmental, cultural, economic and political dimensions of militarism through the lens of geography and a wealth of case studies (many from the UK), this book is a unique and important contribution to the literature. It will become an essential reference in the field."
—John Lovering, Professor of Urban Development and Governance, Cardiff University