New geography as general spatial systems theory—old social physics writ large?

Abstract

The macrogeography of social and economic phenomena stemming from social physics has found its intellectual base and the means of its extension through General Systems Theory. Lack of space prevents as well the exploration of other topics from General Systems Theory found naturally to be applicable through previously independent research in macrogeography and its original parent, social physics. These would suggest further that the discipline of geography be regarded as General Spatial Systems Theory. Applications within a “general spatial systems” theory have been made to physical land forms and fluvial systems, populations and economic flows, central place hierarchies, human migrations, meteorological data, oceanographic data, and various other spatial patterns. The integrity of geography as a discipline will be enhanced if it is realized that within the G.S.T. framework geography finds its place as responsible for and sensitive to General Spatial Systems Theory when the space involved is geographical.