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30 Osgoode Hall L. J. 661 (1992)
Spacing Out: Towards a Critical Geography of Law

handle is hein.journals/ohlj30 and id is 669 raw text is: SPACING OUT:
TOWARDS A CRITICAL GEOGRAPHY
OF LAW©
By NICHoLAs K. BLOMLEY* AND JOEL C. BAKAN**
The authors analyze the interconnections between space, law, and power and
forge links between critical studies in law and geography. Analytical categories
of space-for example, the divide between public and private space, or the
concept of national citizenship-are all politically constructed. The authors
analyze Canadian and American concepts of federalism and their impact on
regulating worker safety. A common judicial mapping of work, local space,
and state regulation determines whether local officials have enforcement
authority in contexts where national worker safety regulations apply. Through
this analysis, the authors illustrate the potential for future studies in critical
legal geography.
'Law' ... is too important to be left to the lawyers.
Lawrence Friedman1
Geography is too important to be left to geographers.
David Harvey2
© Copyright, 1992, Nicholas K. Blomley and Joel C. Bakan.
* Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University.
** Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia. This paper is based on an article originally
published as J. Bakan & N. Blomley, Spatial Categories, Legal Boundaries, and the Judicial
Mapping of the Worker (1992, forthcoming) 24 Env't & Plan. A. Given the interdisciplinary
nature of our argument we felt it appropriate to also seek publication in a legal journal. In so doing,
we have revised and extended our argument. We are very grateful to the editors of both
Environment and Planning A and the Osgoode Hall Law Journal for their cooperation. We also
appreciate the helpful comments of an anonymous referee, as well as the criticisms of Trevor
Barnes, David Cohen, Robert Grant, Marlee Kline, and Peter Marden on earlier drafts. Any errors
or omissions are solely the responsibility of the authors.
1 The Law and Society Movement (1986) 38 Stan. L Rev. 763 at 780.
2 On the History and Present Condition of Geography: An Historical Materialist Manifesto
(1984) 36 Prof. Geographer 1 at 7.

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