Territory and development in regional studies and Latin American literature

This chapter offers an overview and critical examination of the concept of territory in both Anglo-Saxon and Latin American geographies. The chapter initially explores territory within Anglo-Saxon economic geography and regional studies, highlighting its evolution alongside economic globalisation, which redefined territories as dynamic spaces shaped by economic processes and multiscalar networks. This is followed by the contributions of Latin American geography. Starting from a normative approach, that is, territory as a jurisdictional unit for implementing public policies and economic development strategies, as well as the critical responses to this approach. This is followed by critical geographical approaches, which propose a view of territory as a space of power disputes, social struggles, and cultural preservation. By incorporating these diverse perspectives, the chapter advocates for a more nuanced understanding of territory that acknowledges local agency, social relations, and even conflicts over diverse development models, as a way to move forward the debates and produce research able to inspire transformative change.