MACMILLAN A Critical Approach to International Water Management Trends: Policy and Practice (Palgrave Studies in Water Governance: Policy and Practice)

This edited volume provides a critical discussion of particular trends that are widely recognised to influence water management by comparing them with what is actually happening in the field. Among others, these trends include water security, adaptive or integrative management, and the water-energy-food nexus, which are often presented as essential means to reaching more sustainable and resilient water use. However, the extent to which these trends have managed to structure concrete practices in water management remains uncertain.  Informed by empirically grounded research, each chapter of this work engages with a particular approach, concept or theory. Together, they provide a nuanced picture of trends in water management that require universal remedies and global norms. Review “This is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary assessment that adroitly uses the Swiss case to reflect on cross-cutting issues of international relevance. Deftly weaving together references to the natural and social science literature, the analysis explores some of our most pertinent and pressing water issues.” (Karen Bakker, University of British Columbia, Canada) “Cross-fertilizing thorough case studies and relevant theoretical frameworks, this book provides insightful learning regarding contemporary international water challenges. The analytical perspectives, founded upon empirical evidences, provide excellent food for thought for researchers, practitioners and policy makers alike.” (Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland) “A nice edited collection about the challenges of water management in Switzerland, which provides a good way to critically deconstruct water policy ‘fads’, their shortfalls and their alternatives.” (Jeremy Allouche, University of Sussex, UK) From the Back Cover This edited volume provides a critical discussion of particular trends that are widely recognised to influence water management by comparing them with what is actually happening in the field. Among others, these trends include water security, adaptive or integrative management, and the water-energy-food nexus, which are often presented as essential means to reaching more sustainable and resilient water use. However, the extent to which these trends have managed to structure concrete practices in water management remains uncertain.  Informed by empirically grounded research, each chapter of this work engages with a particular approach, concept or theory. Together, they provide a nuanced picture of trends in water management that require universal remedies and global norms. About the Author Christian Bréthaut is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland. He leads the Education and Knowledge component of the Geneva Water Hub and co-leads the UNESCO Chair on Hydropolitics from the University of Geneva.   Rémi Schweizer is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Lausanne and ETH Zürich. His research focuses on environmental and food governance, with a particular interest on power relations, policy implementation and innovation, and local community governance.