Economic geography has long been a key branch of human geography as a whole, but in recent years the subject has undergone considerable theoretical, empirical and public growth. It has become a highly vibrant sphere of academic enquiry amongst the social sciences, and an increasingly prominent arena of political discourse and policy action. Reflecting this, Economic Geography: Critical Concepts in the Social Sciences is a comprehensive five-volume set covering the following key areas: the evolving project of economic geography realms of wealth creation in a globalizing economy changing worlds of work and welfare the cultural economy regulating the economic landscape. With a new introduction by the editors, this fascinating collection captures the essential elements involved in the intellectual development of the field, making it an indispensable resource for both student and scholar alike.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, British trade unions have experienced a dramatic retreat, marked by rapidly falling membership and declining industrial power. The authors examine the regional dimensions of this retreat of organised labour, paying particular attention to: The resilience of the unions' historical heartland areas. The impact of economic restructuring on local union traditions. The shrinking landscape of industrial militancy. The geographical decentralization of the new industrial relations. The link between these factors and the more general debate on regional development and regional labour markets. An important synthesis of economic geography and industrial relations work, this book marks a major contribution towards the newly emerging field of labour geography

This book aims to understand the predicaments of 'left behind places' and the scale of the policy challenge of 'levelling up' their economic prosperity. Drawing out lessons of wider international significance, it examines how places (cities, towns and localities) have grown apart over recent decades amidst deindustrialisation, post-industrial transition and the disruptive shocks of the global financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Using the UK case to illustrate its arguments, the analysis identifies the different types of 'left behind places' and their distinctive economic experiences. The key features of urban and regional institutions and policies are reviewed to understand more about why, despite some successes, geographical inequalities remain an entrenched feature of the UK, blighting the life chances and quality of life of its citizens, and national economic progress as a whole. The weaknesses of past policies are highlighted, and the case is made for a new, mission-oriented policy model, because only a radical shift in economic thinking, governance and management is likely to achieve the 'levelling up' that is now a prominent refrain in the political lexicon.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, British trade unions have experienced a dramatic retreat, marked by rapidly falling membership and declining industrial power. The authors examine the regional dimensions of this retreat of organised labour, paying particular attention to:
The resilience of the unions' historical heartland areas. The impact of economic restructuring on local union traditions. The shrinking landscape of industrial militancy. The geographical decentralization of the new industrial relations. The link between these factors and the more general debate on regional development and regional labour markets.
An important synthesis of economic geography and industrial relations work, this book marks a major contribution towards the newly emerging field of labour geography

"This timely volume comprehensuvely summerises the various approaches to research that have come to constitute contemporary economic geography. Expert assessments provide a lively sense of the research frontier making this essential reading for all who seek to understand and appreciate the field." - Eric Sheppard, University of Minnesota "One of the best economic georgraphy texts in recent years, covering both the history of the discipline and outlining areas for future research... The quality of the chapters remains high throughout and many can and should remain as future reference for research and/or teaching." - Pedro Marques, Journal of Economic Geography What difference does it make to think about the economy in geographical terms? The SAGE Handbook of Economic Geography illustrates the significance of thinking the 'economy' and the 'economic' geographically. It identifies significant stages in the discipline's development, and focuses on the key themes and ideas that inform present thinking. Organised in sections with multiple chapters, The SAGE Handbook of Economic Geography is a complete overview of the discipline that critically assesses: Location, the quantitative revolution and the 'new economic geography' Geographies of globalization and capitalism Geographies of scale/place and the local/global Geographies of nature, agriculture, sustainable development and the political ecology Geographies of uneven development, economic decline, and money and finance Geographies of consumption and services Geographies of regulation and governance, neo-liberalism and welfare. Placing the discipline in vivid historical and contemporary context, The SAGE Handbook of Economic Geography is a timely, essential work for postgraduates, researchers and academics in economic geography.