The Spatial Polarisation of Society with a Detailed Review of Peripheral Regions in Slovakia Cover Image

Priestorová polarizácia spoločnosti s detailným pohľadom na periférne regióny Slovenska
The Spatial Polarisation of Society with a Detailed Review of Peripheral Regions in Slovakia

Author(s): Marián Halás
Subject(s): Cultural Essay, Political Essay, Societal Essay
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Sociologický ústav
Keywords: spatial polarisation; peripheral region; categorisation of peripheries; regional sociology; social geography; Slovakia.

Summary/Abstract: The spatial polarisation of society is open to various research perspectives. It takes several forms and involves various epiphenomena. Consequently, it is the subject of research interest to scholars in various fields, especially sociologists, economists, regionalists, and regional geographers. The article focuses on selected aspects of peripherality and peripheral regions. The first part is devoted to the theoretical aspects of the polarisation of society, developmental interactions between the centre and the periphery, the relationship between peripherality and levels of hierarchy, peripherality and time, and the primary criteria of peripherality in inland and borderland regions. The second part applies theoretical-methodological findings to regions of Slovakia using selected quantitative methods. The author attempts to describe peripherality in multidimensional terms, and to identify the interconnections between various types of peripherality. Based on detailed statistical data on municipalities, he uses a broad range of indicators divided into four groups: human resources, economic potential, personal amenities, and access to centres. In conclusion the author identifi es and categorises the peripheral regions of Slovakia and notes the existence of peripherality at regional and local levels.

  • Issue Year: 44/2008
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 349-369
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Czech
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