Water for All: Community, Property, and Revolution in Modern Bolivia

Water for All explores how Bolivians democratized water access, focusing on the Cochabamba region, which is known for acute water scarcity and explosive water protests. It examines conflict and compromises over water from the 1870s to the 2010s, showing how communities of water users increased supply and extended distribution through collective labor and social struggle. The struggle for democratic control over water culminated in the successful 2000 Water War, offering lessons for contemporary resource management and grassroots movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 342 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

Water for All is a captivating documentary that delves into the remarkable story of how the Bolivian people democratized access to water, with a particular focus on the Cochabamba region, renowned for its severe water scarcity and dramatic water protests. Sarah T. Hines, the film's director, explores the complex dynamics of conflict and compromise surrounding water from the 1870s to the 2010s, showcasing how communities of water users have come together to enhance supply and expand distribution through collective labor and social struggle. Through a comprehensive analysis of a diverse range of sources, including agrarian reform case records and oral history interviews, Hines uncovers the historical roots and ongoing impacts of water dispossession in the late nineteenth century and the subsequent reclaiming of water access in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This insightful investigation sheds light on how these events have shaped and strengthened popular and indigenous social movements in Bolivia.

The culmination of this struggle for democratic control over water reached a pivotal moment in 2000 with the successful Water War, a momentous turning point in Bolivian politics. This documentary offers valuable lessons for contemporary resource management and grassroots movements seeking to establish equitable, democratic, and sustainable resource systems in the Andes, Latin America, and beyond. By examining the successful strategies employed by the Bolivian people in their quest for water justice, we can gain insights into the potential for collective action, social mobilization, and grassroots initiatives to address pressing resource challenges and promote sustainable development.

In conclusion, Water for All is a powerful and thought-provoking film that sheds light on the complex and ongoing struggle for water access and justice in Bolivia. Through its meticulous exploration of historical events and grassroots movements, the documentary provides valuable insights into the power of collective action, social mobilization, and sustainable development. It serves as a reminder of the importance of human rights, social justice, and the preservation of natural resources for the well-being of present and future generations.

Weight: 438g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520381643