Search

This paper compares three instances of dam development on international rivers in China, Mali, and several Central American countries. Aside from being essential to human survival, fresh water in rivers is also an important resource that may be harnessed for such purposes as power generation (the Chinese and Central American cases) and irrigation (the Mali case). What do these case studies imply for our theoretical understanding of the roles and relations of the actors (development agencies, advocacy networks, local and central governments, and local communities) involved in international water resource development and governance? We argue that mapping the networks involved in the governance of these multinational water projects emphasizes the inequalities inherent in globalization, and the fact that development decisions are frequently not attuned to local needs, concerns, and assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]