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Geography and the theory of uneven and combined development: Theorizing uniqueness and the return of China

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  • Michael Dunford

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)

  • Boyang Gao

    (Central University of Finance and Economics, China)

  • Weidong Liu

Abstract

As societal interaction and combination play a vital role in shaping spatio-temporal development paths, meta-theories of uneven development should give way to a relational meta-theory of uneven and combined development (U&CD). U&CD examines at multiple levels of abstraction not just internal causal mechanisms governing the trajectories of individual societies but also causal mechanisms deriving from societal interaction in a world of multiple unevenly developed societies and multiple development pathways. As a consequence it helps explain geographical differentiation and the multiplicity, hybridity and multilinearity of processes of development. As U&CD examines the roles of ideal and efficient causes and causal laws, it also entails revitalized social science and political economy approaches in geography and urban and regional development studies. To demonstrate the indispensability of analyses of the role of societal interaction and the explanatory significance of the theory of U&CD, a series of longue-durée vignettes explore their role in explanations of the spatio-temporality of the decline and subsequent return of China in a changing and interdependent world.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Dunford & Boyang Gao & Weidong Liu, 2021. "Geography and the theory of uneven and combined development: Theorizing uniqueness and the return of China," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(5), pages 890-916, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:53:y:2021:i:5:p:890-916
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X20987229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Michael Dunford & Weidong Liu, 2019. "Chinese perspectives on the Belt and Road Initiative," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 12(1), pages 145-167.
    3. C. Cindy Fan, 1997. "Uneven development and beyond: regional development theory in post‐Mao China," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 620-639, December.
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    5. Michael Dunford & Weidong Liu, 2017. "Uneven and combined development," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(1), pages 69-85, January.
    6. Roger Hayter & Sun Sheng Han, 1998. "Reflections on China's Open Policy Towards Foreign Direct Investment," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 1-16.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yun Li & Ming Xu & Juncheng Dai & Zhenshan Yang & Zhe Cheng, 2023. "Examining the Impact of Infrastructure Financialization on Uneven Regional Development: Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-12, March.

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