Resonanz und Rezeption. Werk und Wirkung Friedrich Ratzels im internationalen Vergleich

Abstract

The text explains the main themes and conceptual arguments of the thematic issue on the reception of Ratzel's spatial theories in Italy, France, Germany and the USA. The work and impact of Friedrich Ratzel between 1880 and 1945 are examined in the perspective of a history of transformation based on the history of knowledge. As a result, the case studies demonstrate that Ratzel's work had an international impact on the object constitution of the academic subject of geography, firstly through the later widespread geopolitical theorising, secondly with regard to the conceptualisation of anthropogeography and thirdly in the relationship of the discipline to the formation of nation states, territorial rule and colonial expansion. Equally decisive is that some interpretations of Ratzel's writings turn out to be rather appropriations of already existing receptions of his work. This reception of reception is undoubtedly a key element of a differentiated impact analysis.