Governing the Cairngorms National Park – Revisiting the neglected concept of authority

This paper draws attention to the neglected sociological concept of authority, arguing that fresh attention to authority, and its relationship with legitimacy, is needed to extend our understanding of the practices and outcomes of rural governance. However, the foundational theory of authority needs updating to recognise the multiple modes of authority and attention should be paid to how they are enacted, by whom and in what circumstances. The paper updates debates on whether there is a missing category beyond Weber's traditional tripartite distinction between traditional, charismatic and legal-rational authority. The paper uses empirical evidence from a five year ethnographic study of the development and implementation of a strategic National Park Plan to explore what is meant by an ‘enabling Authority’ and the difficulties experienced. The results suggest that a portfolio of modes of legitimate authority are enacted, drawing attention to how authority and legitimacy are more complex and hybrid than the foundational theory suggests. The tensions in utilising multiple sources of authority speak to wider discussions about rural governance of multi-functional spaces and places. •The neglected concept of authority can shed light on rural governance.•Authority directs attention to the role of the State within governance networks.•Authority is partial, transient and relational and needs empirical exploration.•Governance often requires multiple modes of authority simultaneously.•Conflicts between modes of authority help explain tensions within rural governance.