Futures of market society, seeing and studying market topographies editorial for the special issue “Exploring futures of market society”

Abstract

This editorial article introducing the special issue on futures of market society proposes a topographical lens to the study of markets and market societies. Four topographical aspects are outlined and exemplified using the contributions to the issue: the socio-political, the material, the socio-practical, and the representational. Three key areas for future research on market topographies are outlined: interactions across topographical aspects; how to transition from the topography of individual markets to market societies; and, how to address topographical dynamics. We discuss practical and conceptual insights on doing topography from the nine original contributions to the special issue, before presenting the central arguments and findings of each article. The editorial ends with a brief concluding discussion on the interrelations of markets and society that brings together our topographical lens and the specific insights of the individual contributions.