Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1
Cycles of pure and applied geography.
postmodernist theorists). Although the analytical
value of the Marxist critique of capitalism is
widely acknowledged, its political agenda, and in
par- the contrary, it signals a need for greater
engageticular opposition to any action not
directed at revolutionary social change, finds little
favour among applied geographers. To ignore the
opportunity to improve the quality of life of some
people in the short term in the hope of achieving
possibly greater benefit in the longer term is not
commensurate with the ethical position implicit
in the problem-oriented approach of applied
geography,
Neither does the argument that knowledge is
power and a public commodity that can be used
for good or evil undermine the strength of applied
geography. Any knowledge could be employed in
an oppressive and discriminating manner to
accentuate inequalities of wealth and power, but
this is no argument for eschewing research. On
ment by applied geographers in the policy-
making and implementation process provided, of
course, that those involved are aware of and avoid
the danger of co-optation by, for example, funding
agencies.
Furthermore, access to the expertise and
knowledge produced by applied geographical
research is not the sole prerogative of the
advantaged in society but can be equally
available to pressure groups or local
communities seeking a more equitable share of
society's resources. As Frazier (1982: p. 16)
commented, applied research 'involves the
formulation of goals and strategies and the
