Socio spatial structure and space-related semantics – Negotiations of „periphery“ and „peripherialization“ in three municipalities in Germany

Abstract

Recent research in social geography is noted for its frequent use of concepts such as discourse, framing or imaginaries to address the space-relatedness which lies at the heart of culture. Less well-known in these discussions is the distinction made within systems theory between social structure and semantics. The distinction aims to organize the variety and complexity of social relations by separating them analytically into an accepted reality (social structure) and its further interpretation and elaboration (semantics). Within this concept, it is the function of semantics to reflect upon, and to articulate, that which is taken for granted in any social structure. Using the example of semantic interpretations of „periphery“, this article shows the multiplicity of relations between social structure and corresponding space-related semantics. This was achieved by conducting qualitative interviews with elected local politicians from three different municipalities in Germany. Our analysis reveals how context and site-specific potentials enhance or diminish actors’ agency in relation to the semantics of the periphery - and how these may shape the future local development.