Writing questions Flashcards
Please provide a definition of the term ‘water governance’
The range of political, social, economic and administrative systems in place to develop and manage water resources in a sustainable way. It involved the formulation and implementation of policies, regulations and practices that guide decision-making, resource allocation and conflict resolution related to water. It encompasses the interaction between different stakeholders including government authorities, communities, industries and non-governmental organizations in managing water for different uses like drinking, agriculture, industry and ecosystems.
Please discuss the role that water governance has played historically in State
formation and social organization
Water governance has played a central role in state formation and social organization. The ability to manage water resources, such as constructing irrigation systems, controlling floods and providing access to clean water have been key factors in the development and stability of civilization. The control and allocation of water resources have often been linked to political power, economic systems and social hierarchies.
Please list and briefly define the 5 different perspectives that Woodhous and Muller
(2017) refer to as approaches to water governance that emerged from their review
- Hydraulic mission approach: this approach focusses on large-scale engineering projects aimed at using and controlling water resources to achieve specific societal goals, such as irrigation, hydropower generation or flood control.
- Integrated water resource management: emphasizes a holistic and coordinated approach to water governance, considering the interconnectness of water-related issues. It aims to balance economic, social and env. objectives.
- Political ecology approach: examines the power relations and political dynamics that shape water governance. It considers how different social groups access and control water resources and explores issues of inequality and justice.
- Water security approach: focus on ensuring reliable access to sufficient, safe, affordable water for all.
- Neoliberal approach: involves market-based policies, privatization, and the introduction of market-mechanisms in water management.
These approaches offer different lenses through which water governance can be analyzed and understood, reflecting diverse perspectives on the management and use of water resources.
What is ‘Neoliberalism’? Provide 1. a definition;
Neoliberalism is an economic and political ideology that advocates for free-market capitalism, limited governance intervention in the economy, privatization of public services, deregulation and a focus on market-based solutions. It emerged as a response to Keynesian economics, promoting a belief in the efficiency of free markets and the idea that government intervention would lead to economic growth and individual prosperity.
Description of the key historical moments that characterized its development;
- Post war !! era (1940-1950s): Shortcoming of Keynesianism, which encouraged government intervention to manage economies, thinks like Friedrich Hayek began to criticize Keynesian ideas
- 1970s: Economic crisis: characterized by stagflation -> high inflation and high unemployment, Keynes ideas were less effective to address these problems.
- Globalization (late 20th century): Increased globalization, growth of national trade – neoliberal ideas could facilitate global economic growth.
- Washington Consensus (1989): End of the cold war market a shift in global political landscape. Washington consensus emerged as a set of neoliberal policy recommendations.
An example of where in the ‘water governance world’ you see neoliberalism
The privatization of water services. Neoliberal thinking believes that market-oriented approaches can enhance efficiency and innovation in water provision. Fe: public water utilities that have been privatized, with private companies taking over the operation and management of water supply and treatment. This is based on the idea that competition and profit motives can lead to improved water services. However, this is debated, with concerns about access, affordability and the prioritization of profit over public welfare.
What are the ‘commons’?
A common is a resource that is collectively owned or used by a community. In a common system, individuals or communities typically share and manage the use of these resources for their mutual benefit.
Why is a common different from a common pool resource?
A common is any collectively owned or used resource, a common pool resource is a subset of common with a low level of excludability and a high level of subtractability.
Please provide an example of a water resource system that can be considered a ‘common’
A community based aquifer. The community collectively owns and manages the pumping devices, the share the usage, there are rules and norms.
Please draw a graph to provide a visual classification of water rights based on the different existing legal traditions
- Civil law traditions: countries like European nations, who follow the national law to make water governance.
- Common law traditions: including the US who govern water based on individual cases.
- Old water rights:
Water rights were tied to land ownership, recognizing the owner’s right to use water existing on their land without limitation - New water rights:
Water rights may involve entitlements to receive a delivery of water through artificial structures, established through constructural arrangements.
Define and discuss the Energy-Water nexus: how are these two dimensions interconnected,what are the commonalities, the differences and the tradeoffs?
The water-energy nexus refers to the interconnectness and interdependence between energy and water systems. Their interactions have significant implications for sustainability, resource management and environmental considerations.
Interconnectness:
- Water for energy: energy production requires substantial water resources.
- Energy for water: Water supply and treatment processes demand energy
- Climate change impact: climate change affects both energy and water resources
Commonalities:
- Resource scarcity: both energy and water resources face increasing demand and potential scarcity due to population growth, urbanization and industrialization.
- Environmental impact: the extraction, production and use of both energy and water resources can have environmental consequences, such as habitat disruption, pollution and climate change.
Differences:
- Renewability: Water is a renewable resource, but its availability can vary spatially and temporally. In contrast, energy sources can be renewable (like wind and solar) or non-renewable (like fossil-fuels)
- Storage and transport: Water can be stored in large quantities, allowing for reservoirs and dams. Energy, on the other hand, often requires immediate use or advanced storage technologies.
Tradeoffs:
- Competing demands: increasing demands for both energy and water can lead to tradeoffs. Fe: allocation of water for hydropower might compete with agricultural water needs.
What are the “Ostrom Design Principles” and how are they relevant for the study of community irrigation systems in developing countries?
The Ostrom design principles are a set of principles that outline key factors contributing to the successful and sustainable management of common-pool resources. These emerged from Ostrom’s research on various community-based resource management systems, including irrigation systems.
- Clearly defined boundaries: helps identify who the users are and establishes a sense of membership and responsibility. This helps in determining the rights and responsibilities of participants.
- Rules adapted to local conditions: they are more likely to be accepted and followed by the community if they are locally adapted.
- Collective choice arrangements: Including the local community in decision making ensures that the governance structure is participatory
- Effective monitoring: helps ensure compliance with establishing rules
- Graduated sanctions: provide a fair and proportional response to non-compliance.
- Conflict resolution mechanisms: Effective conflict resolution mechanisms contribute to the overall stability of the communities.
- Nested enterprises: recognizing that the community irrigation system is part of a larger system and that decisions made at different levels affect each other emphasizes the importance of coordinating and collaborating between local, regional and national levels of governance.
In summary, the Ostrom Design Principles provide valuable guidance for the study and improvement of community irrigation systems in developing countries by emphasizing local adaptation, community participation, sustainable resource use, and institutional innovation
