Assessing Water Rights in China

This book provides a model for describing China's water rights structure, drawing on pioneering theories on natural resources and environmental institutional economics. It elaborates on the hierarchical water governance structure that originated in the Qin Dynasty and constructs a choice model for water governance structures with minimum transaction costs. It enriches and builds on the theories of the "water governance" school, laying the foundation for the further study of water rights theory in contemporary China.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 25 December 2018
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book offers a groundbreaking model for understanding China's complex water rights structure, drawing upon pioneering theories in natural resources and environmental institutional economics. By highlighting the fundamental principles of water rights, the book aims to provide Chinese policymakers with a deeper comprehension of the importance of reforming the country's water management system in the long-term development of water-scarce regions. The book draws upon a wealth of primary sources, including the works of Cheung SNS, Douglas C. North, and Ray Huang, to provide a comprehensive analysis of China's water governance history and current practices.

In its first contribution, the book elaborates on the hierarchical water governance structure that has been in place in China for over two thousand years, originating during the Qin Dynasty. This structure has been continuously employed and refined over the centuries, and it plays a crucial role in managing the country's water resources. The book provides a detailed account of the historical development of this structure, its legal basis, and its practical implications.

In its second contribution, the book constructs a choice model for water governance structures, considering the constraints imposed by management and cooperation costs. The model employs a game-theoretic approach to analyze the strategic interactions between different stakeholders in water management, such as farmers, water users, and government agencies. By optimizing the allocation of water rights and responsibilities, the model aims to minimize transaction costs and promote efficient water use.

The book's findings shed light on the inherent nature of China's choice for the hierarchical structure in water governance. From the perspectives of management cost and cooperation cost, the book argues that the hierarchical structure is more cost-effective and efficient in managing water resources compared to other alternatives. This is particularly relevant in China, where water scarcity is a major challenge, and the country needs to optimize its water use to meet the growing demand for water.

By building upon the theories of the "water governance" school represented by Karl Marx, Karl Wittfogel, and Ray Huang, this book contributes to the further study of water rights theory in contemporary China. It provides a solid foundation for policymakers, researchers, and scholars to explore the complex issues surrounding water management and develop innovative solutions to address the challenges facing water-scarce regions.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of water rights and governance in China. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the historical and contemporary practices of water management, the book provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers seeking to improve the efficiency and sustainability of China's water resources. The book's innovative choice model for water governance structures further enhances our understanding of the factors that influence water management decisions and offers practical solutions to address the challenges facing water-scarce regions.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 235 x 157 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811353147
Edition number: Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2018