Abstract：On the basis of a systematic review of conceptual changes of scale in human geography in English sphere since 1980s, this paper scrutinizes the connotations of scale in human geography and summarizes the conceptual framework and approaches of politics of scale. The authors argue that scale connotes real, analytic and practical meanings in geography, the practical meaning of scale mainly acts as politics of scale. The real scale mainly means the ontological implications of scalar geographical phenomenon or processes; the analytic meanings of scale refers to the epistemological structure of scale, which can be subdivided into realistic, hierarchical and constructivism understandings, stemming from the differences when understanding and generalizing the real world; the practical application of scale, with its essence of politics of scale, is one of the most fruitful and interesting subjects in current debates in Anglophone human geography. It is argued that, scale is not only an analytical framework, but also an construct of power and social actions, it can be also manipulated to change existing power geometry as a tool to gain more power. This paper generalizes three forms of scalar politics from current western researches as the utilization of mobile vehicles, scaled representation and governance. A general model is given summarized from relevant cases, which includes 3 actors with unequal power, the weak actor mainly uses politics of scale through direct fight by improving its mobility or making alliance with its fellows, or through indirect mobilization by networks or scaled representation. Finally, this paper gives an outlook of researches on scalar politics in China in the future mainly from the governance of regional development and management of social conflicts, some issues are briefly discussed and some typical empirical cases are given as examples of future study.
刘云刚, 王丰龙. 尺度的人文地理内涵与尺度政治——基于1980年代以来英语圈人文地理学的尺度研究[J]. 人文地理, 2011, 26(3): 1-6.
LIU Yun-gang, WANG Feng-long. CONCEPT OF SCALE IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AND POLITICS OF SCALE——Based on Anglophone Human Geography Since 1980s. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, 2011, 26(3): 1-6.
