Scalarity and periphery. A conceptual reconstruction from the historical-structural point of view

Abstract

The coexistence of social relations that are defined on different territorial scales and the asymmetric structuring of world space, with central and peripheral positions, constitute two central dimensions of the spatial structuring of socioeconomic systems. Although these two moments were extensively studied, their internal connections are a relatively less explored area. In this framework, the aim of this work is to explore the intrinsic relationships between these moments, constructing a historical-structural interpretation. In order to achieve this objective, the main contributions that focused on the specificity of each moment were analyzed, mobilizing different theories about the relationship between society and space. First, the theoretical development of the scalar question is discussed, showing how the relational turn constituted the key theoretical bet of the articulation between the world unity of the capital accumulation process and its spatial structuring on multiple scales. Secondly, the limitations that this option faces are synthesized when the contingency is prioritized as the basis of its conceptual apprehension. Third, a symmetrical criterion is taken to study the theories of dependency and Latin American structuralism, showing how, particularly in the latter case, there are theoretical potentialities to synthesize the scalarity and asymmetric spatial structuring of socioeconomic systems. The work concludes observing that the latter depends on returning to the historical-structural specificity of the peripheral modernization, considering the specific ways in which territoriality and capitalist relations of production are articulated.