Water and Society: Changing Perceptions of Societal and Historical Development

Water and Society by Terje Tvedt is a book that argues for a change in our contemporary understanding of human history and development by acknowledging the significant role played by water. It provides a reappraisal of the relationship between water and society, giving water its rightful place as central to understanding human history and development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Despite the central importance that water has held for civilizations both ancient and modern, its social significance has made surprisingly little impact on our contemporary understanding of human history and development. Dominant interpretations of the relationship between society and nature have remained water blind. In this book, historian and leading water expert Terje Tvedt argues for a change that acknowledges the significant role played by water in societal development. Reflecting his expertise as a geographer, historian, and political scientist, and drawing on his wide experience of water issues around the world, Terje Tvedt's Water and Society provides a long overdue reappraisal of the relationship between water and society, one that gives water its rightful place as central to any true understanding of human history and development.

Water has played a crucial role in shaping human societies throughout history, yet its social significance has often been overlooked in mainstream interpretations of human history and development. This book aims to rectify this oversight by examining the multifaceted relationship between water and society.

Historian and water expert Terje Tvedt argues that dominant interpretations of the relationship between society and nature have remained water blind, failing to recognize the significant role that water has played in societal development. Tvedt draws on his extensive expertise as a geographer, historian, and political scientist to provide a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the relationship between water and society.

Through his research, Tvedt demonstrates that water has been a vital resource for human societies, providing food, transportation, and energy. He also highlights the ways in which water has shaped social structures, cultural practices, and economic systems. For example, water has played a key role in the development of agriculture, irrigation, and urbanization, which have in turn contributed to the growth of cities and the expansion of human populations.

Moreover, water has been a source of conflict and competition over the centuries. Tvedt explores the ways in which water resources have been allocated and managed, leading to disputes between different groups and nations. He also examines the environmental and social impacts of water use, including water pollution, water scarcity, and climate change.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the relationship between water and society. By acknowledging the significant role played by water in human history and development, Tvedt provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the world. His work encourages us to reevaluate our relationship with water and to recognize its rightful place as a central component of any true understanding of human history and development.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755606481
Edition number: 2 ed