Geographies of authority

Abstract

We propose a geography that pluralises the sites, practices, and politics of authority. We defend an approach that tracks less perceptible forms of authority emerging through everyday micropolitics and experimental practices. In contrast to dominant definitions of authority as institutionalized legitimate power, we propose a definition of authority as a relation of guidance emerging from recognition of inequalities in access to truth, experience, or objectivity. Analysing four intersecting areas of authority (algorithmic, experiential, expert, and participatory authority), we propose analyses that trace authority’s affective force, and which address the tension between, but also mutual constitution of, authority and equality.