Marxism as a tool for uncovering hegemonic discourses on nature

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ

Human Geography

Institute of Human Geography

Lugar: Denton; Año: 2021 vol. 15

1942-7786

Since its origins, geography has prioritized the studyof nature. However, more recently the discipline has made advancements instudying power as a fundamental element in the social production of space andterritory. What can Marxism offer to such investigations? In this briefarticle, I highlight some of the contributions of Marxist thought that I havefound useful for geographic analysis and that stand out from the discipline?sother forms of analysis.  Firstly, I recover elements from the thinker Antonio Gramsci that I consider important for debates regarding the social productionof space and territory as an expression of power relations. Secondly, I retracesome aspects of Marx?s concept of nature to examine certain notions thatprevail in today?s environmental debates. In this way, I look to denaturalizethe hegemonic thought with which institutions and dominant classes exercisepower in this area.