Content uploaded by Ashok Swain
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Ashok Swain on Oct 05, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
Water scarcity: A threat to global security
... Their point was that increasing population results in increasing water demand. This fact along with unequal distribution of water resources has a high possibility of causing water war in regions with the same characteristics (Biswas, 1994;Clarke, 1991;Falkenmark et al., 1989;Gleick, 1993;Homer-Dixon, 1994;Swain, 1996). This "environmental scarcity" as described by Homer-Dixon (1994, p.8-11), occurs for scarce, vital, and physically capturable resources, such as water, and has the potential to cause conflict in transboundary river basins. ...
This study analyses the role of water in the geopolitics of the Middle East and North Africa focusing on the river Nile basin. The main objective of the dissertation is the analysis of the dividing forces in the transboundary water interaction in the Nile basin and how can these unify the basin-states. This involves firstly an exploration of the regional and international features of the basin which contributed to the narrative of water wars. Secondly, an application of the hydro-hegemony theory to identify how power and strategies established and maintained a hegemonic social order. Thirdly, an exploration of the cultural concepts and their unifying character and lastly the validity and efficiency of the historical development of the legal agreements and institutions. A subordinate objective of this study is the examination of the relationship between the geopolitical position in a transboundary river basin and the power of a state. This is analyzed by a brief exploration of the Jordan and Tigris-Euphrates basins emphasizing on their comparison with the Nile River.
... Many developing regions, particularly the countries in the Middle East and South Asia already face serious problems in meeting rapidly increasing water demand. In the immediate aftermath of the end of the Cold War, some believed that many developing countries might be forced to re-orientate their national security concerns in order to protect or preserve increasingly scarce water resources (Gleick 1993, Homer-Dixon 1994, Swain 1996. A sizeable body of research, which came out in the 1990s, posits that violent outcomes can result from the links among growing water scarcity, existing intergroup tensions and the weakness or absence of mediating social and state institutions. ...
... Literature on scarcity is closely linked to economic theory over centuries, and more recently to environmental studies (Bina, 2013). Resource scarcity is increasingly perceived as one of the greatest security risks of the 21 st century, and when related with competition for natural resources, is considered a global challenge (Mildner et al., 2011). Here we propose a broader definition of scarcity, observing instead the ways in @BULLET freedom (Escape from L.A.), security and protection (The Time Machine,; Mad Max), equality (Metropolis; Elysium), peace (Appleseed), justice (Elysium). ...
European science policy (so-called Horizon 2020) is guided by Grand Societal Challenges (GSCs) with the explicit aim of shaping the future. In this paper we propose an innovative approach to the analysis and critique of Europe's GSCs. The aim is to explore how speculative and creative fiction offer ways of embodying, telling, imagining, and symbolising ‘futures’, that can provide alternative frames and understandings to enrich the grand challenges of the 21 st century, and the related rationale and agendas for ERA and H2020. We identify six ways in which filmic and literary representations can be considered creative foresight methods (i.e. through: creative input, detail, warning, reflection, critique, involvement) and can provide alternative perspectives on these central challenges, and warning signals for the science policy they inform. The inquiry involved the selection of 64 novels and movies engaging with notions of the future, produced over the last 150 years. Content analysis based on a standardised matrix of major themes and sub-domains, allows to build a hierarchy of themes and to identify major patterns of long-lasting concerns about humanity's future. The study highlights how fiction sees oppression, inequality and a range of ethical issues linked to human and nature’s dignity as central to, and inseparable from innovation, technology and science. It concludes identifying warning signals in four major domains, arguing that these signals are compelling, and ought to be heard, not least because elements of such future have already escaped the imaginary world to make part of today’s experience. It identifies areas poorly defined or absent from Europe's science agenda, and argues for the need to increase research into human, social, political and cultural processes involved in techno-science endeavours.
... Many developing regions, particularly the countries in the Middle East and South Asia already face serious problems in meeting rapidly increasing water demands. In the immediate aftermath of the end of the Cold War, some believed that many developing countries might be forced to re-orientate their national security concerns in order to protect or preserve increasingly scarce water resources (Gleick 1993, Homer-Dixon 1994, Swain 1996. A sizeable body of research, which came out in 1990s, posits that violent outcomes can result from the links among growing water scarcity, existing intergroup tensions, the weakness or absence of mediating social and state institutions. ...
Water-management issues cut across all sectors of governance and have a critical bearing on many post-conflict challenges. The imperative of adequate water supply, and the weakness of the state in post-conflict period provide a nexus, which demands comprehensive and well-thought-out policy planning, for the short- as well as for the long-term. Yet, very little research has been conducted on the nexus between water management and sustainable development in war-torn societies that are undergoing processes of peacebuilding. This article after critically reviewing the contribution of water scarcity to security challenges and peacemakings, makes an attempt to contribute to the policy debate on how carefully planned interventions in the water sector can significantly contribute to the post-conflict peacebuilding process, from immediate recovery and rebuilding to long-term sustainable development goals and lasting peace.
This chapter provides a brief overview of the history of agriculture and irrigation in the Nile basin, background of agriculture and irrigation in the Nile basin, scope of the chapter, the Nile river basin, scarce Nile water and existing sharing arrangements, move to establish basin-based cooperation, new water demands in the Nile basin, escalating conflict scenario, fear of climate change, The China factor and the riparian countries of the Nile understanding.
The scarcity and pollution of fresh water resources have already become a source of serious concern in many parts of the world. International rivers, being the major carriers of the fresh water for human consumption, need special attention. The cooperative management of these shared rivers not only leads to better and optimal use of the available fresh water but may also help to avoid the potential water conflicts and to foster regional cooperation. New international legal principles are being developed to address the transboundary river-sharing issues. Although this chapter accepts the need for a universal legal framework, it advocates the promotion of regional management of international rivers. The existing differences in the perception, use and availability of fresh water at the regional level are discussed to support this argument. The regional organizations are needed to address the sharing issues of the common rivers in their respective regions. In the absence of any effective regional organization, the formation of joint river commissions should be encouraged as a prelude to basin-based cooperation.
Drawing on an in-depth examination of the existing literature on social mobilization and extensive fieldwork conducted in India, Ashok Swain questions how displaced people mobilize to protest with the help of their social networks.
Many developing countries pursue policies of rapid industrialization in order to achieve faster economic growth. Some policies cause displacement forcing many individuals to take up a fight against the state. Interestingly some of these dissenting individuals are more successful in organizing their protests than others. In this book, Ashok Swain demonstrates how displaced people mobilize to protest with the help of their social networks. Studying protests against large industrial and development projects, Swain compares the mobilization process between a traditionally protest rich and a protest poor region in India to explain how social network structures are a key component to understand this variation. He reveals how improved mobilization capability coincides with their evolving social network structure thanks to recent exposure to external actors like religious missionaries and radical left activists. The in-depth examination of the existing literature on social mobilization and extensive fieldwork conducted in India make this book a well-organized and useful resource to analyze protest mobilization in developing regions.
Countries are meeting increasing water demand by building reservoirs and by diverting water from one area to another. When the water belongs to an international river system, these measures lead to riparian conflicts. However, water scarcity not only brings conflict to these regions, but also plays its part in building cooperation. In several international river basins in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, competing and disputing riparian countries are now moving towards a co-operative sharing arrangement. The signs of agreements on water sharing may be easy, but the real problem is how to keep these arrangements on track. Such agreements can positively contribute to peace and cooperation by addressing future needs, making sustainable decisions and being progressive in their management. Managing Water Conflict looks at these current stresses and likely future scenarios for this vitally important subject.
This book offers an overview of emerging security challenges in the global environment in the post-Cold War era.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.