Smith, D. M. 1977

With the publication in 1969 of David Harvey's Explanation in geography, the so-called quantitative revolution in geography had consolidated its hold on the subjector so it seemed.However, the trouble with formal theory, model building and quantitative analysis is that human beings, whether as individuals or as groups, are apt to disappear from view.As is well known, numerous counter-revolutionaries were gathering, many of them intent on challenging the Popperian logical positivism that lies at the heart of the approach adopted by the quantifiers.Thus it is that the epistemological debate has continued, with realism, structuralism and other 'isms' competing for our attention.In one sense, Smith's book is part of that counter-revolution.By the time the book was published in 1977, there was a considerable body of literature, including his own work, which in effect was saying 'hold it, there are real people out there'.In Human geography: a welfare approach.Smith seeks to put people back as the central concern of human geography, asking us to abandon the assumption of homogeneity which had become so popular.However, whereas some sought to deny the validity of analytical techniques associated with the so-called quantitative revolution, for example, looking to the metaphysics of Marxism, the cardinal feature of Smith's book is the way in which he calls these techniques to his aid in pursuing the agenda of social research in a spatial framework.In that sense, the book is very conservative

Economic geography · Geography · Human geography · Human welfare · Political science · Regional science · Sociology · Welfare · Anthropology · Law · Rural development and sustainability

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