From inequalities to territorial inequalities. An approach to the agency of the territory

Abstract

In recent decades, the study of inequalities has become a central theme in the research agendas of the social sciences. As a result of this interest, there is currently an abundant production in which a diversity of forms of interpretation, measurement and conceptualization coexist, which, in turn, present different and, in some cases, opposing theoretical approaches. In parallel with these debates, there has recently been a progressive concern for understanding the socio-spatial or territorial dimension of social inequalities. However, until now, most disciplines, with the exception of geography, have given little importance to the territory or geographic space where these inequalities are developed and reproduced. Based on a theoretical-documentary research, the intention of this paper is to present a general approach to the relationship between inequalities and territory, starting with two fundamental questions: what are the implications for the analysis of inequalities of recognizing the agency of the territory, ¿and what role does the territory play in the production and reproduction of inequalities? In conclusion, the need to recover the idea of "territorial agency" is emphasized, since the territory should not be seen as a mere support or passive scenario where inequalities develop. This notion makes it possible to understand the inequalities/territory dialectic and to observe it as an active mediator in the configuration of these inequalities.