ATS1309 Study Guide - Final Guide: Central Place Theory, Stadial, Political Ecology
6 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Ø Stadial assumptions: societies move through set ‘stages’ of development eg; from
savage to civilized
Ø Spatially and socially differentiated: some places are seen as ‘more developed’ than
others
Ø Social evolutionary ideas of progress: teleological
5 stages of development theory
Ø More maturity as it eventually achieves the outcome (high level of mass consumption)
1. The traditional society
2. Pre-conditions for take off
3. Take off
4. The drive to maturity
5. High mass consumption
Population growth
Ø Population decline is seen as economically damaging, but population growth exerts
anxiety about environmental impact
Three contrasting visions of population growth
1. Population growth is ‘bad’ for the environment
Ø Population grows exponentially but food production only linear growth
Ø Population growth = environmental threat
Ø ‘Carrying capacity’ of a certain population
2. Population growth can be ‘good’ for the environment
Ø Population growth is the driver of economic growth and development that drives
innovation
Ø High population densities lead to more intense agriculture
Ø Environmental stress encourages innovation
3. Overpopulation is not the ‘real problem’
Ø Political ecology: the ‘real issue’ is power, processes and patterns of capital
accumulation, inequality and marginalisation
Population debates: heavily racialized
Ø 1901 – 1970s: ‘race’ based, white empire-building
Ø 1970 – now: development-based, age and especially skill
Document Summary
Stadial assumptions: societies move through set stages" of development eg; from savage to civilized. Spatially and socially differentiated: some places are seen as more developed" than others. More maturity as it eventually achieves the outcome (high level of mass consumption: the traditional society, pre-conditions for take off, take off, the drive to maturity, high mass consumption. Population decline is seen as economically damaging, but population growth exerts anxiety about environmental impact. Three contrasting visions of population growth: population growth is bad" for the environment. Population grows exponentially but food production only linear growth. Carrying capacity" of a certain population: population growth can be good" for the environment. Population growth is the driver of economic growth and development that drives innovation. High population densities lead to more intense agriculture. Environmental stress encourages innovation: overpopulation is not the real problem". Political ecology: the real issue" is power, processes and patterns of capital accumulation, inequality and marginalisation. 1901 1970s: race" based, white empire-building.
