Page 22 - Pelc, Stanko, ed., 2015. Spatial, social and economic factors of marginalization in the changing global context. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
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tial, social, and economic factors of marginalization in the changing global context 20 Between metrics and ethics: approaches to marginality
Prof. Dr. Walter Leimgruber
University of Fribourg/CH, Dept. of Geosciences, Geography
Chemin des Musées 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
walter.leimgruber@unifr.ch
Definitions of marginality, core-periphery model, globalism, power
To define marginality and marginal regions has been and continues
to be a challenge. There exist a variety of approaches to this end,
but they are often based on research into individual cases, which
makes comparisons difficult. As far as the spatial aspects (marginal
regions) are concerned, we are still lacking a clear theoretical basis
that goes beyond the conventional bi-polar view advocated by the
core-periphery theory. However, the term ‘marginality’ is not only
used in the spatial context but is widely debated (and also contest-
ed) in the social sciences in general, as it concerns the society as a
whole (economics, culture, and politics).
The paper focuses on the spatial dimension and discusses the need
for a better theoretical basis that goes beyond the conventional
binary centre-periphery approach. Marginality is a social concept,
largely based on human perceptions, and has to be seen in the con-
text of power relations. It can be detected and studied at various
scales. The paper therefore looks at the regional as well as the
global scale (as noted in the name of the Commission) and looks at
possible ramifications of marginality issues.
Minorities – an expression of diversity and an exercise
in tolerance
Prof. Dr. Walter Leimgruber
University of Fribourg/CH, Dept. of Geosciences, Geography
Chemin des Musées 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
walter.leimgruber@unifr.ch
Minorities, marginality, diversity, perception, attitude
Every country in the world is confronted with minorities, and re-
sulting problems have always to be solved in the specific context.
The conventional approach to the minority issue is from a quanti-
tative perspective (minorities seen as numerically inferior groups),
Prof. Dr. Walter Leimgruber
University of Fribourg/CH, Dept. of Geosciences, Geography
Chemin des Musées 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
walter.leimgruber@unifr.ch
Definitions of marginality, core-periphery model, globalism, power
To define marginality and marginal regions has been and continues
to be a challenge. There exist a variety of approaches to this end,
but they are often based on research into individual cases, which
makes comparisons difficult. As far as the spatial aspects (marginal
regions) are concerned, we are still lacking a clear theoretical basis
that goes beyond the conventional bi-polar view advocated by the
core-periphery theory. However, the term ‘marginality’ is not only
used in the spatial context but is widely debated (and also contest-
ed) in the social sciences in general, as it concerns the society as a
whole (economics, culture, and politics).
The paper focuses on the spatial dimension and discusses the need
for a better theoretical basis that goes beyond the conventional
binary centre-periphery approach. Marginality is a social concept,
largely based on human perceptions, and has to be seen in the con-
text of power relations. It can be detected and studied at various
scales. The paper therefore looks at the regional as well as the
global scale (as noted in the name of the Commission) and looks at
possible ramifications of marginality issues.
Minorities – an expression of diversity and an exercise
in tolerance
Prof. Dr. Walter Leimgruber
University of Fribourg/CH, Dept. of Geosciences, Geography
Chemin des Musées 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
walter.leimgruber@unifr.ch
Minorities, marginality, diversity, perception, attitude
Every country in the world is confronted with minorities, and re-
sulting problems have always to be solved in the specific context.
The conventional approach to the minority issue is from a quanti-
tative perspective (minorities seen as numerically inferior groups),
