The Space of Social Theory

The paper addresses what social theorists do and refer to when they speak of space. We explore theories that constitute space concepts and clusters. We analyze key terms where theorists locate the space scripts and thus, we systematize some of the most visible approaches on spatialities present in social theory. More specifically, using literature review and software analysis, we (1) identify three overarching concepts working as transversal heuristic devices for social theorists: “spatiality”, “spatialization”, and “relational space”; and (2) we characterize those concepts in three theoretical clusters: “semiotic networks”, “material simultaneity” and “carved‐out places/bo(u)ndedness”. Finally, the manuscript offers an updated account of the space theoretical currents to nurture further discussions in social and cultural theory.