WATER AS A SOURCE OF CONFLICT

Abstract

Despite the grave concerns that water scarcity could lead to “water wars, " empirical evidence is insufficient to demonstrate that nation-states have fought wars with each other over water in recent decades. However, an absence of water wars does not negate the fact that water is a source of conflict. Empirical evidence demonstrates that too little, too dirty, or even too much water has been a source of violent and nonviolent conflict at the subnational and international levels. Various social, economic, institutional, and political factors further influence the mobilization of grievances for conflict and collective actions through the water-conflict pathways. Amid the impacts of climate change and increasing demands, tensions over water between countries are also on the rise, especially when countries construct large dams in transboundary watersheds. This chapter provides insights into these interlinkages between water and violent and nonviolent conflict, with examples from water-related conflicts at transnational, national, and community levels. Understanding in detail how water and conflict are related is key to finding sustainable solutions that are acceptable to all.