Animal geographies III: Relational and political

Abstract

Animal geography is inherently relational. At its core is curiosity for relations between humans and nonhuman animals. As in other fields, relational approaches are increasingly adopted as conceptual framework and methodology. Two current relational themes of the field are care, killing and ethics; and how humans and nonhuman animals create space, particularly the home and the city. Animal geographies tackle diverse political elements of animals’ lives (and deaths), operating at multiple scales, through a variety of approaches. Major current themes include biopolitics, colonialism, state power and (in)justice. Relationality and politics are by no means separate. Relations have political outcomes – notably, in the form of value and commodification – and relationality can open possibilities for reframing political problems; a fitting goal for this time of conflict and dramatic change.