Open Geosciences (Aug 2021)

The “changing actor” and the transformation of landscapes

  • Lefebvre Olivier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2020-0288
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 895 – 903

Abstract

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A landscape is defined as a place which is remarkable because of one of these criteria (or several): esthetics, harmony with a habitus (quality of life), and environment. Also, groups support projects concerning this place. There is a “logical duel” to decide how to format the landscape. The paper focuses on the play of actors, in this context. There are a few theories in social sciences to describe the “changing actor” (how an actor changes his mind). In particular, we refer to the notions from the Latour’s sociology of networks, selection, translation, and role of actants. There is a “pressure” on landscapes to transform them in accordance with the needs of the Global Monopoly (defined as a model which is imitated worldwide). But it occurs that the outcome of a “logical duel” is not the formatting of a landscape in accordance with the pressure. It is explained by the “changing actor” and the success of some translation.

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