Johann Heinrich von Thünen was a German economist/geographist. Alfred Weber, Walter Christaller, and Johann Heinrich von Thünen were the founders of classical location theory. According to these men, the friction of distance, i.e., the cost of moving commodities, people, or information between places, is the key variable for explaining geographic patterns. The classical location models assume the existance of optimizers , i.e., economic persons who organize themselves and their activities so as to optimize utility. Due to the deterministic nature of the classical location theory, economic activity in any area can be determined merely by studying the contemporary and past decision processes and the geographic factors of t he area. Socialization is not even considered as a factor affecting the development of economic relationships.
Works by Johann Heinrich von Thünen:
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