Water Politics and Governance

This course builds knowledge on the governance of freshwater resources with emphasis on the institutional, political and organisational dimensions.

During this course you will engage with the leading theories, concepts, proposed solutions, controversies, and current trends and debates of water governance. You will study challenges and opportunities on multiple scales from the global level, to regional, national, and local approaches in the Netherlands and in the Global South.

Additionally, this course will feature guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, offering varied perspectives on global water challenges with a preference for water justice framings. An excursion will provide practical insights into water management in the Netherlands.

By incorporating different theoretical and (hydro)political perspectives and real-world experiences, the course aims to enrich critical analysis, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues involved in water politics and governance.

Key topics:

• Water politics and critical perspectives
• Neoliberalism, commodification and privatisation
• Water remunicipalisation and management
• Commons theory and community irrigation schemes
• Water law and water rights
• NEXUS, virtual water, water & energy, water and mining
• International cooperation and water conflicts
• Global virtual water trade, water grabbing, water war and peace.