Between space, relational sociology, and Lefebvre's critique of modernity: An understanding of relational spatiality in trans‐actional perspective

Abstract

Abstract Although the ongoing Lefebvre renaissance has recently generated interest in many areas of sociology, contemporary relational sociology has not specifically considered Lefebvre's potential contribution to it. The article introduces a concept of relational spatiality based on the epistemology of relational sociology by reconsidering Lefebvre's inquiry into modernity and space. The article first briefly explains Lefebvre's epistemological critique of modernity, including everyday life and space, and then constructs the relational spatiality by combining Lefebvre with the relational and processual viewpoints of relational sociology. The article accordingly characterizes relational spatiality by combining Lefebvre's critique of “abstract space” as a crucial case with the de‐reification of relational sociology. At last, we further explore the trans‐actional perspective of relational sociology to motivate the deep relationalist understanding of space. From the “inter‐actional” premise to “trans‐actional” processes, relational spatiality reveals and avoids the underlying abstract purification, substantialism, and dualism in the analysis and cognition of space. We hope to lead sociologists to recognize that space involves a relational‐ sociological concept constantly produced, functioned, and emerging through iterative trans‐actions rather than an objective entity or geographical premise waiting to be influenced by society, demonstrating the possibility of a spatial epistemology based on relational sociology.

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