What's new and What's Regional in the ‘New Regional Geography’?

Abstract

ABSTRACTABSTRACTThis paper discusses the role of theory and empirical observation in relation to a possibly emerging 'new' regional geography. Some ontological and epistemological underpinnings of the regional approach, which are usually overlooked by protagonists of the 'new paradigm', are highlighted and contrasted with the new approach. It is argued that, in spite of all claims to the contrary, a new regional geography has not yet developed. Rather, what has been created is something that is neither regional, nor new. It is concluded that a 'semi-traditional' approach—less politicized and more discovery oriented—may in the end be the regional approach that enhances our understanding of societal evolution and its spatial heterogeneity.