English economists: Descriptive accounts of location theory: Working paper series--97-03

The spatial aspects of economic theory have been developed through time in spatial price theory and location theory. This paper will concentrate on the interdisciplinary topic: location theory. Most of the major contributions to location theory have come from economists, engineers, and geographers. Location theory has at least four historical roots. If one uses the classification system of agricultural location, market area analysis, industrial location, and central places; then, one would point to Thünen, Launhardt, Weber, and Christaller, respectively. Johann Heinrich von Thünen published his isolated State in 1826. Wilhelm Launhardt's Mathematische der Volkswirtschaftslihre der Volkswirtschaftslihre was published in 1885. Alfred Weber contributed his Theory of the Location of Industries in 1909. Walter Christaller's Central Places in Southern Germany was released in 1933. Most of the theoretical contributions found in modern location theory literature can be traced to these four men. After summarizing the major contributions of these recognized founders of the field, a detailed analyses of "English" economists will be provided. The presentation will be limited to the works of Petty, Smith, Marshall, and Hobson. These authors did not give major emphasis to problems of location in their writings, but the extent of their discussions on the subject go beyond what one might expect. All four realized that space could make a difference in basic economic reasoning. Locational rent can be found in Petty, Smith, and Marshall. Some form of market area analysis can be found in Marshall and Hobson. Transportation cost or transportation system improvements were important to all four writers. In conclusion, this author feels that these discussions are too important to ignore