Arthur Jay Klinghoffer

The Power of Projections (eBook, PDF)

How Maps Reflect Global Politics and History

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

Why is Europe at the top half of maps and Africa at the bottom? Although we are accustomed to that convention, it is, in fact, a politically motivated, almost entirely subjective way of depicting a ball spinning in space. As The Power of Projections teaches us, maps do not portray reality, only interpretations of it. To begin with, they are two-dimensional projections of a three-dimensional, spherical Earth. Add to that the fact that every map is made for a purpose and its design tends to reflect that purpose. Finally, a map is often a psychological projection of the historical, political, and cultural values of the cartographer-or of the nation, person or organization for which the map was created.
In this fascinating book, Klinghoffer examines the world perceptions of various civilizations and the ways in which maps have been formulated to serve the agendas of cartographers and their patrons. He analyzes the recent decline of sovereignty, the spread of globalization, the reassertion of ethnic identity, and how these trends affect contemporary mapmaking.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc
• Seitenzahl: 208
• Altersempfehlung: ab 7 Jahre
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. April 2006
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780313082511
• Artikelnr.: 68527999

Autorenporträt

Arthur Jay Klinghoffer is Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey. He is the author of numerous books on a variety of subjects, among them, human rights, genocide, Soviet Communism, South African apartheid, and the politics of oil and gold.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction The Cartographer's Mirror Instruments of Power Cultural
Factors Symbols of Authority Sleight of Hand In the Eye of the Beholder
Worldviews Completing the Circle New Directions The Geography of Empire
Geopolitics Defending the Western Hemisphere Cold War The Cartographical
Revolution Social Protest and Deconstruction Rearranging the Pieces Index