ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the study of the spatial and areal structures and interactions between political processes and systems, or simply, the spatial analysis of political phenomena. It seeks to provide a sense of purpose and order to the study of political geography. The book explores political geography more into line with trends in contemporary geography as a whole and with the other social sciences. It also provides to "stocktaking" as of 1969, emphasizing particularly valuable contributions, related interdisciplinary efforts, and profitable new approaches and lines of inquiry. The book reflects on the definition and structuring of political geography. It explores works which have contributed significantly to the theoretical development of the field. The book describes the context in which spatial structure, process, and behavior occur.
