Resource defense options of water-rich nations

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Fresh water is a limited global resource unevenly distributed across nations. Whether an accident of geography or a strategic move back when wars were routinely fought over territorial control and to shift boundaries, there are nations with abundant water wealth and those that are either water-poor or en route to becoming water-poor. As water is core to both basic human survival and economic expansion, its scarcity has the potential to foment conflict. In an era of decreasing water availability, a water-rich nation must assess the elements of state power a water-poor nation may employ in an effort to attain greater access to water. This assessment begins with an understanding of the necessary balance between Westphalian State Sovereignty and the principal of equitable resource sharing for a common good. From this the water-rich nations must identify options to ensure control (i.e. protect or distribute as they see fit) their water resources. This includes leading collaboration within the international community to optimize water management practices without disavowing sovereignty over their resource. Additional proposals include the application of other elements of soft power and, as a contingency, military power. Two case studies (South Asia and Brazil) provide the historical context for why the recommended proposals are essential for regional stability and hence water-rich nation resource security. As water scarcity increases and potential conflicts fester, it becomes clear that the international community is neither omniscient nor omnipresent. It should be expected that conflicts over water will happen where the flash point has not been predicted. The water-rich nation must be prepared for this eventuality. The best mitigation for this is a combination of robust domestic policies for the water-rich nation coupled with integration into strong international institutions. Those institutions must have the capacity, credibility and suitability to support countries involved in disputes. For the water-rich nations this means their engagement in the international water management community is essential for their continued freedom of action with respect to their water resources.