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Models in Geography by Richard J. Chorley; Peter HaggettReview by: Lane J. JohnsonEconomic Geography, Vol. 46, No. 3 (Jul., 1970), pp. 540-542Published by: Clark UniversityStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/143391 .

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ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

and it seems that little call be done about ex- tending the time period into the past. A six-year time span may thus be too short to assess the growth trends of the world electric power in- dustry, and the most recent statistics in the survey were already five years old when the book was published (late 1969). The eventual revision up to and including 1970 might make the analysis more interesting and meaningful.

Finally, one might raise a few minor criticisms on the following points: (a) the bibliography is made up almost exclusively of publications issued by international organizations and na- tional statistical agencies, and fails to mention a number of publications by geographers and others, dealing with electric power; (b) the numbering of the illustrations in Part I has been omitted, while appearing in the table of contents and in the text; (c) the lavish pres- entation of the book, beautifully cloth-bound and printed on high-quality paper, is impressive but makes for a high retail price. One would hope that a more reasonably-priced, paperback edition will make the book more readily avail- able to the wide audience which it deserves.

Notwithstanding these shortcomings, Guyol's survey is excellent in its presentation of homo- geneous statistical data in Part II (world, "regional," and national electricity accounts). Each table includes production, imports, supply, consumption, loss and use data, as well as plant capacity and fuel consumption data, from total, hydro, conventional thermal, nuclear, and geothermal electric power sources, insofar as possible for every year during the 1958-1964 period. The survey includes statistics for 162 individual countries. The data for many of these countries are fragmentary or estimated, espe- cially in the case of the Asian Peoples Republics and some of the African countries. But by and large, every effort has been made to insure completeness and consistency in country-to- country coverage. The Appendix includes addi- tional statistical information which rounds out the national tables presented in Part II. Among other topics, this information comprises the following: electricity distribution in 1964-by country, sector, total, and per capita; net im- ports of electricity, 1958-1964; and monthly variations in consumption of electricity for 1964.

To sum up: despite several imperfections, this book is an excellent work of reference, which is bound to encourage more research in the geography of energy, and especially in the geography of electric power production and systems. Anyone interested in this branch of economic geography should become familiar with Dr. Guyol's survey.

JEAN CERMAKIAN

Institut de Geographie Universite Laval

and it seems that little call be done about ex- tending the time period into the past. A six-year time span may thus be too short to assess the growth trends of the world electric power in- dustry, and the most recent statistics in the survey were already five years old when the book was published (late 1969). The eventual revision up to and including 1970 might make the analysis more interesting and meaningful.

Finally, one might raise a few minor criticisms on the following points: (a) the bibliography is made up almost exclusively of publications issued by international organizations and na- tional statistical agencies, and fails to mention a number of publications by geographers and others, dealing with electric power; (b) the numbering of the illustrations in Part I has been omitted, while appearing in the table of contents and in the text; (c) the lavish pres- entation of the book, beautifully cloth-bound and printed on high-quality paper, is impressive but makes for a high retail price. One would hope that a more reasonably-priced, paperback edition will make the book more readily avail- able to the wide audience which it deserves.

Notwithstanding these shortcomings, Guyol's survey is excellent in its presentation of homo- geneous statistical data in Part II (world, "regional," and national electricity accounts). Each table includes production, imports, supply, consumption, loss and use data, as well as plant capacity and fuel consumption data, from total, hydro, conventional thermal, nuclear, and geothermal electric power sources, insofar as possible for every year during the 1958-1964 period. The survey includes statistics for 162 individual countries. The data for many of these countries are fragmentary or estimated, espe- cially in the case of the Asian Peoples Republics and some of the African countries. But by and large, every effort has been made to insure completeness and consistency in country-to- country coverage. The Appendix includes addi- tional statistical information which rounds out the national tables presented in Part II. Among other topics, this information comprises the following: electricity distribution in 1964-by country, sector, total, and per capita; net im- ports of electricity, 1958-1964; and monthly variations in consumption of electricity for 1964.

To sum up: despite several imperfections, this book is an excellent work of reference, which is bound to encourage more research in the geography of energy, and especially in the geography of electric power production and systems. Anyone interested in this branch of economic geography should become familiar with Dr. Guyol's survey.

JEAN CERMAKIAN

Institut de Geographie Universite Laval

OTHER REVIEWS

Models in Geography, ed. by RICHARD J. CHORLEY and PETER HAGGETT. London: Methuen and Co., 1967. 816 pages. $19.00.

Models in Geography derives from the Second Madingley Iectures at Cambridge University (1965). A previous volume, Frontiers in Geo- graphical Teaching, based on the First Madingley Lectures and compiled by the same editors will be familiar to many readers. Like its predecessor, the present volume is a collection of chapters by different authors on pertinent topics within a broad framework. However, it is a much larger book than Frontiers in Geographical Teaching and has greater methodological and topical co- herence. The book's eighteen chapters are grouped into five sections. These sections and chapters provide the structure for this review.

The beginning section, "The Role of Models," contains two chapters. The first of these, "Mod- els, Paradigms and the New Geography" by Peter Haggett and Richard J. Chorley, deserves special mention for an excellence occasionally approached, but never surpassed, by the other chapters in the book. Haggett and Chorley broadly define models as selective approxima- tions of reality, and paradigms as general pat- terns or models of scientific activity. They argue for the utility of these simplifying, generalizing constructs, not only for the powerful insights they can provide but also for their susceptibility to expansion and their fruitfulness in suggesting new lines of inquiry. The inclusiveness of the view presented and the points made for the general applicability of models are most im- pressive. Haggett and Chorley see models as linking observation and theory, and the result- ing thrust of their argument is for a model- based paradigm which can unify geography. A form for this paradigm is outlined, but the ques- tion of the substance of geography is largely avoided. Clearly, they favor considerable ab- straction and mathematization, but there is no attempt to exclude any line of traditional in- quiry or to minimize the importance of studying particular cases. Indeed, the opposite is strongly implied. The unitary sense and conciliatory tone of this essay should have a wide appeal to geog- raphers of all persuasions. F. H. George's Chap- ter, "The Use of Models in Science," introduces the scientific method, and static and dynamic models. Particular attention is given to the use of computers with dynamic models. The dis- cussion is not specifically related to geography, and, unfortunately, it is too basic to be of use to geographers formally acquainted with these topics and too brief to be of much help to those who are not.

Section II, "Models of Physical Systems," has three Chapters: "Models in Geomorphology" by Richard J. Chorley, "Models in Meteorology

OTHER REVIEWS

Models in Geography, ed. by RICHARD J. CHORLEY and PETER HAGGETT. London: Methuen and Co., 1967. 816 pages. $19.00.

Models in Geography derives from the Second Madingley Iectures at Cambridge University (1965). A previous volume, Frontiers in Geo- graphical Teaching, based on the First Madingley Lectures and compiled by the same editors will be familiar to many readers. Like its predecessor, the present volume is a collection of chapters by different authors on pertinent topics within a broad framework. However, it is a much larger book than Frontiers in Geographical Teaching and has greater methodological and topical co- herence. The book's eighteen chapters are grouped into five sections. These sections and chapters provide the structure for this review.

The beginning section, "The Role of Models," contains two chapters. The first of these, "Mod- els, Paradigms and the New Geography" by Peter Haggett and Richard J. Chorley, deserves special mention for an excellence occasionally approached, but never surpassed, by the other chapters in the book. Haggett and Chorley broadly define models as selective approxima- tions of reality, and paradigms as general pat- terns or models of scientific activity. They argue for the utility of these simplifying, generalizing constructs, not only for the powerful insights they can provide but also for their susceptibility to expansion and their fruitfulness in suggesting new lines of inquiry. The inclusiveness of the view presented and the points made for the general applicability of models are most im- pressive. Haggett and Chorley see models as linking observation and theory, and the result- ing thrust of their argument is for a model- based paradigm which can unify geography. A form for this paradigm is outlined, but the ques- tion of the substance of geography is largely avoided. Clearly, they favor considerable ab- straction and mathematization, but there is no attempt to exclude any line of traditional in- quiry or to minimize the importance of studying particular cases. Indeed, the opposite is strongly implied. The unitary sense and conciliatory tone of this essay should have a wide appeal to geog- raphers of all persuasions. F. H. George's Chap- ter, "The Use of Models in Science," introduces the scientific method, and static and dynamic models. Particular attention is given to the use of computers with dynamic models. The dis- cussion is not specifically related to geography, and, unfortunately, it is too basic to be of use to geographers formally acquainted with these topics and too brief to be of much help to those who are not.

Section II, "Models of Physical Systems," has three Chapters: "Models in Geomorphology" by Richard J. Chorley, "Models in Meteorology

540 540

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BOOK REVIEWS

and Climatology" by R. G. Barry, and "Hydro- logical Models and Geography" by Rosemary J. Moore. Model building has reached relatively high levels of sophistication in geomorphology, climatology, and hydrology. It also is clear that many of the models are not geographic in origin or orientation. With the exception of geomor- phology, these disciplines are now some distance from geography. The discussions by Barry and Moore are concerned with subject matter to a large degree. They are recommended as com- prehensive treatments general enough to be of some interest to many geographers, but they will be most appreciated by those specializing in climatology and hydrology. Chorley's chapter on geomorphology should appeal to a wider audience among geographers. It is more strongly geographic, and, unlike the other two essays, it is centered upon types of models, rather than model treatments of different substantive topics.

"Models of Socio-economic Systems" is the largest section with six chapters. The first three chapters are "Demographic Models and Re- ality" by E. A. Wrigley, "Sociological Models in Geography" by R. E. Pahl, and "Models of Economic Development" by D. E. Keeble. These essays are similar in that they primarily concern the work of non-geographers and issue pleas for the wider acquaintance of geographers with developments in demography, sociology, and economics. All are well-ordered discussions of basic models. Wrigley's essay on demographic models is essentially an informational account, relying upon the material itself to deliver the message. Pahl's is a more impassioned plea, most interesting for the points it raises regarding the place of values in geography and the deficiencies which must result in geographic work if socio- logical concepts do not receive more attention. Keeble's essay is the longest of the three. It relates most closely to geography in that the last part specifically deals with models having a spatial dimension. This may be due largely to the fact that, among social scientists, economists and economic planners have been most con- cerned with distributional questions in recent years.

The three final chapters in Section III are based mainly on work by geographers. Janet D. Henshall's "Models of Agricultural Activity" is the least dominated by the spatial theme, being concerned in addition with behaviorial models and classification. Her essay also is the shortest and, while informative on basics, suffers from overly brief presentation. B. Garner and F. E. Ian Hamilton have provided longer chap- ters on " Models of Urban Geography and Settle- ment Location" and "Models of Industrial Location," respectively. Garner's essay is essen- tially a summary of results achieved with models in the investigation of research problems in urban and settlement geography. Hamilton, on the other hand, goes more deeply into the philo- sophical rationale of industrial location models

and devotes more attention to the problem- solving potential of different model types. Both discussions are quite comprehensive within the space available.

The section on "Models of Mixed Systems" includes "Regions, Models and Classes" by David Grigg, "Organism and Ecosystem as Geographical Models" by D. R. Stoddart, "Models of the Evolution of Spatial Patterns in Human Geography" by D. Harvey, and "Network Models in Geography" by Peter Haggett. These essays concern philosophical and methodological questions rather than substantive topics. Grigg deals with regional classification and regional systems, Stoddart with the themes of organism and environment in geography, Harvey with dynamic spatial models, and Hag- gett with the geometric theme in geography. All of these chapters are extremely well written syntheses. The authors have taken enough space to cover their topics generally and have man- aged also to weave-in compelling arguments. Grigg makes the case for regional systems as models and cautions that as classificatory schemes they must be replaced and modified as required. Stoddart traces the history of the organic analogy, points out its dangers, and after discussing the concept of the ecosystem argues for the value of systems analysis as an approach. Harvey masterfully treats a variety of evolutionary and diffusion models in his strongly structured paper and argues convinc- ingly for the model approach as essential to any "Renaissance in geographic research." Haggett comprehensively outlines work involving the several types of geographic networks and is able to give a sense of the excitement and power of the spatial theme in geography which has spearheaded the quantitative-theoretical revolu- tion. As a group, these four essays constitute the most stimulating section of the book.

The final section, "Information Models," is disappointing by comparison, a fault of the material rather than of the authors. The section contains three essays: "Maps as Models" by C. Board, "Hardware Models in Geography" by M. A. Morgan, and "Models of Geographical Teaching" by S. S. Harries. Board's discussion is a very good one, particularly on maps as abstractions of reality and on sources of dis- tortion. Unfortunately, it lacks a certain excite- ment because much of the material has been synthesized previously in cartographic works. Morgan's essay suffers simply from being more concerned with the mechanics of certain analy- tical and presentation techniques, rather than with ideas. Harries deals with conceptual frame- works for teaching and the translation of new substantive concepts into meaningful classroom experiences. All of these essays are useful, and the book would have been incomplete without their inclusion. Certainly, many readers will find them valuable. However, the topics are

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ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

inherently less exciting to most geographers than are those of the other chapters.

Most of the authors of Models in Geography are young British geographers, and the point of view overwhelmingly represented is that of the "new geography." This mood, set resound- ingly by Haggett and Chorley in their intro- ductory chapter, carries well through the book. Model building is the theme, but basic concepts and methods rather than the intricacies of tech- nique are stressed. That such a large volume emphasizing fundamental ideas could be com- piled with relatively little duplication is a flat- tering commentary on the current state of geography. The writing is clear, and illustrative materials and tables are germane and well re- lated to the chapter texts. In addition, the authors are to be especially applauded for their attention to bibliography. Each chapter is fol- lowed by a large and excellent selection of refer- ences. Finally, D. R. Stoddart's index, which is keyed to concepts, methods, and personalities, will function handily when the book is used for reference.

Characteristics that might be considered flaws are minor and do not detract from the book's over-all value. As is to be expected considering the number of authors and topics involved, some fundamental methodological differences are ap- parent. These are revealed, for example, by chapters which variously stress spatial models having either horizontal or vertical emphases, phenomenological models, and temporal models. Some thematic inconsistency also results from Sections II and III of the book being organized around traditional substantive topics in physical and human geography, while Sections I, IV, and V have more-or-less abstract and methodo- logical orientations. Given these characteristics, the high degree of unity within the book is a tribute both to the generalizing power of the models central to the authors' concern and the ability of the editors. There also is some uneven- ness as regards mode and quality of treatment. However, the average level of treatment is high, and the emphasis upon concepts and methods makes the book almost continuously thought- provoking. Lastly, readers will note various omissions and the general nature of discussions of topics with which they are most familiar. The book is essentially a methodological survey, a broad rather than exhaustive summary.

It is a pleasure to give Models in Geography the strongest recommendation. Individual geog- raphers will value it for the treatment of topics close to their interests; even more, however, it will be appreciated as a basic and comprehensive, methodological discussion. Particularly, the book is a must within our graduate departments and for all graduate students. Its scope is broad, the over-all tone exciting, and the geography represented forward-looking and inquiring. The authors, editors, publisher, and sponsors of the Madingley Lectures are to be congratulated for

inherently less exciting to most geographers than are those of the other chapters.

Most of the authors of Models in Geography are young British geographers, and the point of view overwhelmingly represented is that of the "new geography." This mood, set resound- ingly by Haggett and Chorley in their intro- ductory chapter, carries well through the book. Model building is the theme, but basic concepts and methods rather than the intricacies of tech- nique are stressed. That such a large volume emphasizing fundamental ideas could be com- piled with relatively little duplication is a flat- tering commentary on the current state of geography. The writing is clear, and illustrative materials and tables are germane and well re- lated to the chapter texts. In addition, the authors are to be especially applauded for their attention to bibliography. Each chapter is fol- lowed by a large and excellent selection of refer- ences. Finally, D. R. Stoddart's index, which is keyed to concepts, methods, and personalities, will function handily when the book is used for reference.

Characteristics that might be considered flaws are minor and do not detract from the book's over-all value. As is to be expected considering the number of authors and topics involved, some fundamental methodological differences are ap- parent. These are revealed, for example, by chapters which variously stress spatial models having either horizontal or vertical emphases, phenomenological models, and temporal models. Some thematic inconsistency also results from Sections II and III of the book being organized around traditional substantive topics in physical and human geography, while Sections I, IV, and V have more-or-less abstract and methodo- logical orientations. Given these characteristics, the high degree of unity within the book is a tribute both to the generalizing power of the models central to the authors' concern and the ability of the editors. There also is some uneven- ness as regards mode and quality of treatment. However, the average level of treatment is high, and the emphasis upon concepts and methods makes the book almost continuously thought- provoking. Lastly, readers will note various omissions and the general nature of discussions of topics with which they are most familiar. The book is essentially a methodological survey, a broad rather than exhaustive summary.

It is a pleasure to give Models in Geography the strongest recommendation. Individual geog- raphers will value it for the treatment of topics close to their interests; even more, however, it will be appreciated as a basic and comprehensive, methodological discussion. Particularly, the book is a must within our graduate departments and for all graduate students. Its scope is broad, the over-all tone exciting, and the geography represented forward-looking and inquiring. The authors, editors, publisher, and sponsors of the Madingley Lectures are to be congratulated for

producing an excellent book, one of considerable importance to the establishment of geography as a theoretically based science.

LANE J. JOHNSON

Department of Geography Temple University

The Structure of Political Geography, ed. by ROGER E. KASPERSON and JULIAN V. MINGHI. Chicago: Aldine Press, 1969. xii, 527 pages. $12.50.

The behavioralist mood in geography has come of age. After two decades of revolt against the rational explanatory tradition in geography, the point of view which has sought to make the empirical component of the discipline more "scientific" has been translated into a text- book for political geography. First there was "quantitative geography," then "theoretical geography," and now merely geography with an orientation cognate to the social sciences. This text is important because it is the first to effectively demonstrate the application of the behavioral mood to a recognized systematic unit of geography.

But there is more. As a textbook intended for upper division and graduate courses, the authors have included sections devoted to the heritage of political geography and the structural ele- ments of political organization of space which have hithertofore dominated political geography. Two other readers in political geography have already undertaken this task and several of the same articles are reprinted. However, the three to ten-page introductions to each section in this book are superior to those in their com- petitors.

The heritage section is more comprehensive than in most texts. The choice of selections is well made and placed in context by an informa- tive introduction written with a clarity unusual in textbooks. An ethnocentric theme is used to explain the views of writers like Aristotle, Strabo, Ibn-Khaldfn, Ritter, and Ratzel. This theme could also be extended to explain the authors' emphasis on the behavioralist theme as a reflection of current trends in American social science.

The section devoted to the political process relies heavily upon selections from outside geography. The dearth of published work in political geography which is process oriented is lamented. Emphasis is placed on communica- tion, with selections from Deutsch and Etzioni together with an example of Ed Soja's effective demonstration of this theme as applied to spatial organization in East Africa.

The interaction theme expressed as commiuni- cation pervades all eight readings in the "proc- ess" section. This provides additional support

producing an excellent book, one of considerable importance to the establishment of geography as a theoretically based science.

LANE J. JOHNSON

Department of Geography Temple University

The Structure of Political Geography, ed. by ROGER E. KASPERSON and JULIAN V. MINGHI. Chicago: Aldine Press, 1969. xii, 527 pages. $12.50.

The behavioralist mood in geography has come of age. After two decades of revolt against the rational explanatory tradition in geography, the point of view which has sought to make the empirical component of the discipline more "scientific" has been translated into a text- book for political geography. First there was "quantitative geography," then "theoretical geography," and now merely geography with an orientation cognate to the social sciences. This text is important because it is the first to effectively demonstrate the application of the behavioral mood to a recognized systematic unit of geography.

But there is more. As a textbook intended for upper division and graduate courses, the authors have included sections devoted to the heritage of political geography and the structural ele- ments of political organization of space which have hithertofore dominated political geography. Two other readers in political geography have already undertaken this task and several of the same articles are reprinted. However, the three to ten-page introductions to each section in this book are superior to those in their com- petitors.

The heritage section is more comprehensive than in most texts. The choice of selections is well made and placed in context by an informa- tive introduction written with a clarity unusual in textbooks. An ethnocentric theme is used to explain the views of writers like Aristotle, Strabo, Ibn-Khaldfn, Ritter, and Ratzel. This theme could also be extended to explain the authors' emphasis on the behavioralist theme as a reflection of current trends in American social science.

The section devoted to the political process relies heavily upon selections from outside geography. The dearth of published work in political geography which is process oriented is lamented. Emphasis is placed on communica- tion, with selections from Deutsch and Etzioni together with an example of Ed Soja's effective demonstration of this theme as applied to spatial organization in East Africa.

The interaction theme expressed as commiuni- cation pervades all eight readings in the "proc- ess" section. This provides additional support

542 542

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