Seeking control: Disentangling the difficult sociality of Kakadu National Park’s joint management

Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest and most complex protected area, employs a joint management model that shares power between the state and traditional Aboriginal owners. However, this model is plagued by confusion and mistrust, with stakeholders often perceiving themselves as powerless while attributing significant influence to others. Research reveals that structural and habitual dynamics have entrenched in one domain of park management, yet undergone radical transformation in another. The study highlights the complex interplay between structure and social agency within joint governance frameworks, offering insights into the challenges of shared decision-making in culturally diverse protected areas.

Haynes, C. (2013). Seeking control: Disentangling the difficult sociality of Kakadu National Park’s joint management. Journal of Sociology, 49(2-3), 194–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783313481522