For conjunctural geography: From method to counter-hegemonic practice

Abstract

Conjunctural analysis makes an important addition to the conceptual toolbox for understanding the contours of China's (capitalist) regional economies. In this commentary, we concur with Peck's suggestion that the conjunctural approach can animate economic geography's engagement with ‘thick’ theorization without foregoing context-rich inquiry. However, we also emphasize Stuart Hall's commitment to counter-hegemonic politics and his use of the conjunctural approach to explore – and ultimately facilitate – historical breaks in social structures of dominance. Through a brief exploration of ways of engaging the region in China area studies and Chinese geography, we discuss how the conjunctural approach can be mobilized to (re)politicize geographies of regional development.