Policy, scale and the importance of space
Policy, scale and the importance of space
This chapter clarifies why the book explores the politics of scale in policy through a cross-disciplinary lens that integrates policy studies and political geography. Specifically, the chapter argues that in order for policy studies to engage with scale as a political concept, the study of policy needs to engage in a dialogue with human geography literature on ‘space’. A space-sensitive approach to policy analysis would involve being receptive to the idea that spatial concepts and categories are crucial to shaping the practices of policymaking. Its discussion introduces what the study of ‘space’ implies for the research interests of social scientists, suggests a number of reasons for the lack of engagement with space in the field of policy studies, and finally turns to outlining the exciting potential for policy studies to engage with theories of space.
Keywords: policy studies, space, scale, political geography, spatial politics, policy practices
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