79
© The Author(s) 2016
R.F. Hüttl et al. (eds.), Society - Water - Technology, Water Resources
Development and Management, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-18971-0_6
Chapter 6
Water Governance: A Systemic Approach
Petra Dobner and Hans-Georg Frede
Abstract The article investigates the contributions of system theory and governance
literature to implementing and managing MEWPs. Both approaches share the belief
that problems should be addressed holistically and thus challenge the division of
labor in the water sector. After sketching some major characteristics of system theory and governance, the fi ndings are applied to MEWPs in Fergana and Jordan.
Keywords Governance • Millennium development goals • System theory • Major
water engineering projects • Institutions • Public participation • Complexity • Soviet
Union • Legacy • Fergana Valley • Red Sea • Dead Sea Project
6.1 Introduction
All commonplaces about water share the conviction that water is universal and
essential. Water is life, indeed, and the availability of and access to water is of
utmost concern for every organism and organization. Water issues are ubiquitous
and all embracing. It is quite plausible to conclude that the technical and political
management of water should be similarly comprehensive.
Quite contrary, though, is everyday practice. Typically, water issues are addressed
from numerous partial standpoints. Technicians and engineers should solve infrastructural problems, natural scientists deliver information about the quality and
availability of water, and political and social scientists are in charge of regulatory or
social matters. This division of labour is neither peculiar nor surprising. Fragmented
responsibilities seem a natural consequence of differentiation, segmentation, and
specialization, the foremost features of modernity. The water sector is but one
example of many for this dominant trend, but in this case the price is especially
P. Dobner (*)
Institute of Political Science and Japanese Studies , Martin-Luther-Universität
Halle- Wittenberg , Emil-Aberhalden-Str. 7 , 06099 Halle/Saale , Germany
e-mail: petra.dobner@politik.uni-halle.de
H.-G. Frede
Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR) ,
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen , Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 , 35392 Gießen , Germany
© The Author(s) 2016
R.F. Hüttl et al. (eds.), Society - Water - Technology, Water Resources
Development and Management, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-18971-0_6
Chapter 6
Water Governance: A Systemic Approach
Petra Dobner and Hans-Georg Frede
Abstract The article investigates the contributions of system theory and governance
literature to implementing and managing MEWPs. Both approaches share the belief
that problems should be addressed holistically and thus challenge the division of
labor in the water sector. After sketching some major characteristics of system theory and governance, the fi ndings are applied to MEWPs in Fergana and Jordan.
Keywords Governance • Millennium development goals • System theory • Major
water engineering projects • Institutions • Public participation • Complexity • Soviet
Union • Legacy • Fergana Valley • Red Sea • Dead Sea Project
6.1 Introduction
All commonplaces about water share the conviction that water is universal and
essential. Water is life, indeed, and the availability of and access to water is of
utmost concern for every organism and organization. Water issues are ubiquitous
and all embracing. It is quite plausible to conclude that the technical and political
management of water should be similarly comprehensive.
Quite contrary, though, is everyday practice. Typically, water issues are addressed
from numerous partial standpoints. Technicians and engineers should solve infrastructural problems, natural scientists deliver information about the quality and
availability of water, and political and social scientists are in charge of regulatory or
social matters. This division of labour is neither peculiar nor surprising. Fragmented
responsibilities seem a natural consequence of differentiation, segmentation, and
specialization, the foremost features of modernity. The water sector is but one
example of many for this dominant trend, but in this case the price is especially
P. Dobner (*)
Institute of Political Science and Japanese Studies , Martin-Luther-Universität
Halle- Wittenberg , Emil-Aberhalden-Str. 7 , 06099 Halle/Saale , Germany
e-mail: petra.dobner@politik.uni-halle.de
H.-G. Frede
Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR) ,
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen , Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 , 35392 Gießen , Germany