River Basin Organizations and the Governance of Transboundary Watercourses

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea K. Gerlak ◽  
Susanne Schmeier
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
Transboundary Waters ◽  
Collective Action Problems ◽  
Water Treaties

This chapter defines transboundary waters and sheds light on the collective action problems they pose. It chronicles the rise of river basin organizations as the key regional institutions to manage and implement international water treaties and address collective action problems in transboundary waters. In examining questions of effectiveness, two important institutional design features of transboundary water governance are outlined: the role of stakeholder participation and the importance of science–policy linkages. Emerging challenges and controversies are addressed, including questions of adaptive capacity and matters of context in transboundary water governance. The chapter concludes with some suggested paths for future research, emphasizing institutional adaptation to future challenges.

scholarly journals On the preconditions for large-scale collective action

AMBIO ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 1282-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sverker C. Jagers ◽  
Niklas Harring ◽  
Åsa Löfgren ◽  
Martin Sjöstedt ◽  
Francisco Alpizar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Collective Action Problem ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Collective Action Problems

Abstract The phenomenon of collective action and the origin of collective action problems have been extensively and systematically studied in the social sciences. Yet, while we have substantial knowledge about the factors promoting collective action at the local level, we know far less about how these insights travel to large-scale collective action problems. Such problems, however, are at the heart of humanity’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, large-scale natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, nuclear proliferation, antibiotic resistance due to overconsumption of antibiotics, and pollution. In this paper, we suggest an analytical framework that captures the theoretical understanding of preconditions for large-scale collective action. This analytical framework aims at supporting future empirical analyses of how to cope with and overcome larger-scale collective action problems. More specifically, we (i) define and describe the main characteristics of a large-scale collective action problem and (ii) explain why voluntary and, in particular, spontaneous large-scale collective action among individual actors becomes more improbable as the collective action problem becomes larger, thus demanding interventions by an external authority (a third party) for such action to be generated. Based on this, we (iii) outline an analytical framework that illustrates the connection between third-party interventions and large-scale collective action. We conclude by suggesting avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Progress in Water Footprint Assessment: Towards Collective Action in Water Governance

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen Y. Hoekstra ◽  
Ashok K. Chapagain ◽  
Pieter R. van Oel
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Trade Patterns ◽  
Interdisciplinary Field ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Freshwater Use ◽  
Different Levels

We introduce ten studies in the field of water footprint assessment (WFA) that are representative of the type of papers currently being published in this broad interdisciplinary field. WFA is the study of freshwater use, scarcity, and pollution in relation to consumption, production, and trade patterns. The reliable availability of sufficient and clean water is critical in sustaining the supply of food, energy, and various manufactured goods. Collective and coordinated action at different levels and along all stages of commodity supply chains is necessary to bring about more sustainable, efficient, and equitable water use. In order to position the papers of this volume, we introduce a spectrum for collective action that can give insight in the various ways different actors can contribute to the reduction of the water footprint of human activities. The papers cover different niches in this large spectrum, focusing on different scales of governance and different stages in the supply chain of products. As for future research, we conclude that more research is needed on how actions at different spatial levels and how the different players along supply chains can create the best synergies to make the water footprint of our production and consumption patterns more sustainable.

scholarly journals How Do Institutions Address Collective-Action Problems? Bridging and Bonding in Institutional Design

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomás Olivier
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Exponential Random Graph Models ◽  
Graph Models ◽  
Random Graph Models ◽  
Exponential Random Graph ◽  
Collective Action Problems ◽  
Balanced Distribution

Collective-action problems affect the structure of stakeholder networks differently in policy settings (Berardo and Scholz 2010). However, interactions in policy settings do not usually occur in an institutional vacuum; instead, they are guided and constrained by agreed-on rules. Therefore, to better understand behavior in these settings, it is important to understand the parameters that guide and constrain it. Combining arguments from game theory and social network analysis, this paper focuses on how the nature of collective-action problems affect the design of formal institutional arrangements. The cases are two institutional arrangements for the provision of high-quality drinking water, in New York City and in Boston. The design of these arrangements is measured through Networks of Prescribed Interactions (NPIs), capturing patterns of interactions mandated by formal rules. NPI structures in each case are then compared analyzing their structural measures and applying exponential random graph models (ERGMs). By comparing these NPIs, the paper assesses the effects of collective-action problems on the design of formal institutional arrangements. Results show that cooperation problems are associated with designs prescribing redundant interactions that create a balanced distribution of responsibilities among the key actors to the agreement.

scholarly journals Transboundary Water Governance in the Kabul River Basin: Implementing Environmental and Public Diplomacy Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Bindu Panikkar ◽  
Asim Zia ◽  
Susan Sgorbati ◽  
Michael Cohen ◽  
Muhammand Abid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
Transboundary River Basins ◽  
Water Cooperation ◽  
Environmental Diplomacy ◽  
Ecological Stewardship ◽  
Kabul River

This research highlights the outcomes of the environmental diplomacy workshop held between members of civil society from Afghanistan and Pakistan on water cooperation in the Kabul River Basin, one of the most heavily conflicted transboundary river basins in the world. Lack of trust among these upstream and downstream riparian partners and persistent failures of Track 1 diplomacy initiatives has led to an absence of governance mechanisms for mitigating the water security concerns in the region. This research shows that science and public diplomacy, democratic participation, and social learning may pave a way to clear local misconceptions, improve transboundary water cooperation, and increase ecological stewardship in the Kabul River Basin.

scholarly journals Resilience in Transboundary Water Governance: the Okavango River Basin

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia O. Green ◽  
Barbara A. Cosens ◽  
Ahjond S. Garmestani
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
Okavango River

The Legal Principle of Reciprocity and China’s Water Treaty Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-222
Author(s):  
David J Devlaeminck
Keyword(s):  
Dispute Settlement ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
Transboundary Waters ◽  
Cooperation Mechanism ◽  
Legal Principle ◽  
Bilateral Approach ◽  
Common Interests ◽  
The Law ◽  
Water Treaties ◽  
Water Treaty

AbstractThe legal principle of reciprocity plays a strong role in the law of international watercourses in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. China, primarily an upstream state, shares transboundary rivers with 14 neighbouring states. These shared rivers are governed by a variety of treaties and soft law documents, with China preferring to take a bilateral approach. Building on previous research, this article aims to elaborate on the role that reciprocity has played in the development, maintenance and interpretation of the law of international watercourses and then applies this to China’s transboundary water treaties. For these purposes, this analysis focuses on China’s approach to sovereignty on its transboundary waters and the substantive, procedural and dispute settlement rules of China’s transboundary treaties, as well as future developments, including the influence of the concept of ‘common interests’ on China’s practices. There have been significant developments in China’s transboundary water cooperation, as transboundary waters are increasingly important for China’s development. The article concludes with the example of the China-led Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism, highlighting its reciprocal characteristics and pathways for future development.

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