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History-Theory: Space as a Key Word

Harvey suggests that space has a much deeper meaning and importance than just
absolute, he states from his prior writings that it was crucial to reflect on the nature of
space if we were to understand urban processes under capitalism. He then puts forward
a theory that space could be categorized as absolute, relative, relational or any
combination of these depending on the circumstances. This approach to space is
important because there are amounted urban experiences and memories that can only
be analyzed inside the dialectical tension of these titles.

However he then explains how this method alone is not capable of articulating the
complexity of human subjectivity "the point about grappling with space as a keyword is
therefore to identify how this concept might be better integrated into existing social,
literary and cultural metatheories and with what effects". In order to help clarify this he
refers to how other philosophers have referred to space as a experience, Cassier
distinguishing between organic, perceptual and symbolic space and Lefebvre with
experienced, conceptualized and lived space. to explore the complexity that these
categories add to the understanding of space he stacks Lefebvres definitions up against
his original three in a matrix as seen below:

Although the matrix has its limits is obvious to see the true complexity that space
imposes and also how it is impossible to understand it without accepting that time is of
equal significance to it. Also seen from the matrix is how space and time have relational
qualities.
Harvey then expresses how capitalism does not engage relational feelings or subjective
views, in fact the function is to stand away from relational space for its own privatization
and reproduction. The nature of capitalism means there must indeed at some point in
space and time meet its demise, whether the recent credit crisis will be its the start of its
last reproductive cycle remains to be seen.

Harvey then turns to Marxian philosophy in saying that it is a political genre that does
embrace relational thinking Yet Marx himself is a relational thinker. To help exemplify
this Harvey put the Marxian theory through the same spatial matrix as seen below:

Only by engaging with relational feelings can one start to understand marxian political
economy. With the marxian theory put into the matrix it can be seen that capitalist wage
labour is incapable of fitting into all the categories of space at once. buy giving labour a
value it creates social hierarchies and creates alienation. Marxism on the other hand
works relationally and is capable of fitting in dialectical tension over the entire matrix, the
third point of marxism is when the people seize control of the government on a
international scale and abolish privatization and value. If this were to happen space could
be realized and explored outside of capitalism on absolute, relative and relational levels.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every mans need, but not every mans greed

(Mahatma Gandhi)

Images and quotes taken from Space as a key word