'Visualizing Capital' with Professor David Harvey

Introduction

This tutorial aims to provide a step-by-step guide to the concepts discussed by Professor David Harvey in his lecture on 'visualizing capital.' Understanding these concepts can enhance your comprehension of economic systems and the spatial dynamics of capital. This guide breaks down key points from the lecture, making them accessible and actionable.

Step 1: Understand Capital as a Fluid Concept

• Recognize that capital is not just money; it encompasses resources, labor, and social relations.
• Consider the different forms of capital, including:
  • Financial capital: Cash and liquid assets.
  • Physical capital: Machinery, buildings, and infrastructure.
  • Human capital: Skills and knowledge of the workforce.
• Reflect on how these forms interact and contribute to economic systems.

Step 2: Visualizing Capital Flows

• Learn to visualize how capital moves through various systems:
  • Use flow diagrams to represent the movement of capital between different sectors.
  • Identify key nodes in the flow, such as banks, corporations, and labor markets.
• Tools for visualization:
  • Software like Microsoft Excel or specialized data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau).
• Practical Tip: Start with simple diagrams and gradually add complexity as you understand the relationships better.

Step 3: Analyze the Social Dimensions of Capital

• Explore how capital affects social structures:
  • Investigate the impact of capital on inequality and access to resources.
  • Consider how capital shapes urban development and spatial organization.
• Common Pitfall: Avoid viewing capital purely in economic terms; always include social context.

Step 4: Apply Spatial Analysis Techniques

• Utilize GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to analyze spatial patterns of capital:
  • Collect data on land use, demographics, and economic activities.
  • Create maps that illustrate capital distribution and investment patterns.
• Practical Application: Use your findings to inform urban planning or policy-making decisions.

Step 5: Engage with Critical Perspectives

• Familiarize yourself with critical theories surrounding capital:
  • Read works by key theorists, including Karl Marx and Henri Lefebvre.
  • Analyze how different theoretical frameworks interpret capital and its effects on society.
• Discussion Point: Consider how contemporary issues, such as globalization and environmental sustainability, relate to capital dynamics.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we've outlined key steps for understanding and visualizing capital through various lenses. You should now be equipped to explore capital's multifaceted nature, analyze its social implications, and apply spatial analysis techniques. As a next step, consider engaging with additional literature on capital and its critical perspectives to deepen your understanding further.