Theorizing Transboundary Waters in International Relations

The book is the first collection of state-of-the-art research projects analyzing water conflict and cooperation with an explicitly theoretical point of view. It offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on how the application of various theoretical perspectives can support the work of scholars and practitioners in mitigating water conflict and developing cooperation. The discussion of their findings is divided into four main sections: reflections and critiques on the grand theories of International Relations, catalysts and barriers of cooperation, perspectives at the intersections of theory and practice related to water diplomacy, and new perspectives to provide specific entry points for understanding and managing water conflict and cooperation. The authors come from diverse backgrounds and their expertise covers water issues from all around the globe, which is reflected in the range of the analyzed case studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book is the first comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art research projects analyzing water conflict and cooperation from a theoretical perspective. Its fourteen chapters provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of how various theoretical perspectives can support scholars and practitioners in mitigating water conflict and developing cooperation. The volume begins with a literature review on the theorization of transboundary waters in International Relations, which sets the stage for the demonstration of the latest approaches of scholars currently working on this field. The discussion of their findings is divided into four main sections. The first section deals with reflections and critiques on the grand theories of International Relations, proposing new and more nuanced frameworks for understanding and managing transboundary water relations. The second section focuses on the catalysts and barriers of cooperation, applying theoretical frameworks that reveal the consequences of the dynamics in power relations and institutional frameworks. The third section investigates into the perspectives at the intersections of theory and practice related to the most practical field within the scope of the volume: water diplomacy. The fourth section introduces new perspectives to provide specific entry points for understanding and managing water conflict and cooperation. Overall, the work intends to demonstrate that the theorization of transboundary waters can significantly contribute to the deeper understanding and more efficient management of water conflicts and cooperation from several aspects. The authors come from diverse backgrounds, and their individual careers are often interdisciplinary, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The book is divided into four main sections, each focusing on a different aspect of water conflict and cooperation. The first section, "Theorizing Transboundary Waters in International Relations," provides a comprehensive overview of the theorization of transboundary waters in International Relations. It discusses the different approaches to the study of transboundary waters, including the traditional assumptions, the grand theories of International Relations, and the latest approaches of scholars currently working on this field. The second section, "Catalysts and Barriers of Cooperation," examines the catalysts and barriers of cooperation in transboundary water relations. It applies theoretical frameworks to reveal the consequences of the dynamics in power relations and institutional frameworks. The third section, "Perspectives at the Intersections of Theory and Practice," investigates into the perspectives at the intersections of theory and practice related to water diplomacy. It explores the practical implications of the theoretical frameworks discussed in the previous sections and provides specific entry points for understanding and managing water conflict and cooperation. The fourth section, "New Perspectives on Water Conflict and Cooperation," introduces new perspectives to provide specific entry points for understanding and managing water conflict and cooperation. It explores the role of technology, the impact of climate change, and the role of civil society in water conflict and cooperation. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the theorization of transboundary waters in International Relations and its implications for water conflict and cooperation. It is a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding and managing water conflict and cooperation in a more effective and sustainable way.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031433757
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023