Citation:
Mary Gearey and Paul Jeffrey. Concepts of legitimacy within the context of adaptive water. Ecological Economics, Volume 60, Issue 1, 1 November 2006, Pages 129–137
Abstract:
This paper argues that to prevent or lessen the impact of episodic water stress within
modern political economies, harnessing and tailoring emerging modes of legitimacy
will play a crucial role in formulating pragmatic, solution-focused policy. In setting
out a case for this position, we analyse the role which existing and novel modes of
legitimacy play in shaping the boundaries and opportunity spaces for policy tool
development. Central to the arguments outlined is a rethinking of the concept and
practise of ‘legitimacy’ to include informal relationships between actors and amongst
institutions. Legitimacy's re-evaluation is pertinent as existing demand management
elements of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) become increasingly
ineffectual in the face of escalating water stress. This paper's focus is on the interface
between IWRM and socio-political values associated with potable water. This leads
us to concentrate almost exclusively on public water supply issues within developed
countries. It is argued that adaptive water management techniques will play a key role
in policy development; but only if strategies recognise the need to engage with the
diverse range of legitimacy models which typify late-industrial societies. The paper
reviews theories of state action, civic participation and sovereignty to explore,
through the use of case studies, what types of legitimacy models, and what types of
policy to enact these models, could be used to support strategies to alleviate water
stress.