Richard Meissner

Theorising complex water governance in Africa: the case of the proposed Epupa Dam on the Kunene River

Various multi-dimensional governance models have been suggested by scholars and policy makers alike as suitable conceptual lenses through which to view the complexity of water governance, particularly in international river basins. While these models, most notably, the Government–Society–Science and the Hegemonic Politicians models, do provide more holistic pictures of the multiple actors at play and their interactions, the nature of these actor interactions is overly linear, and make them incapable of explaining the numerous processes within complex governance systems. They assume the dominance of a limited number of actors while ignoring various feedback loops. This paper therefore provides a critical review of the Government–Society–Science and the Hegemonic Politicians models. Our alternative perspective is derived from complexity theory as it pertains to water governance. Explaining water governance through the complexity lens highlights the myriad of actors that act within international river basins and the consequences of their actions; something that is lacking within the traditional models. This holds implications not only for decision-making in river basins and water resources management in particular, but also for theoretical developments that feed back into the policy arena. Complexity theory paints a more nuanced picture for the decision maker. We put forward this view using the proposed Epupa Dam on the Kunene River as a case study where various actors interact in the debate around the suggested dam.

The politics of establishing catchment management agencies in South Africa: the case of the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency

Copyright: 2014 Edward Elgar Publishing, UK. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the pre-print of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publishers website.

Water Governance and Management and Climate Change

In this chapter, I will present three case studies; two of which focus on water governance and management and one on climate change. Research scientists argue that climate change has a profound impact on water resources and the management thereof, hence the inclusion of climate change assessment and adaptation strategies as case studies. I analyse two climate change adaptation strategies; one from Australia and the other from South Africa. The other case study deals with South Africa’s National Water Resource Management Strategy and the United Nations Development Programme’s Water and Ocean Governance focus area. How the strategies or plans were developed, using different research paradigms and theories, is the gist of the chapter.

Concepts and Views from International Relations and their Potential Contribution to Impact Assessment Thinking and Practice

ABSTRACT Analysts of environmental impact assessment and sustainability assessment tools recognise that ideally different types of knowledge and thinking need to be incorporated for such tools to be more effective in their sustainability objectives. Broadening thinking help to understanding complex issues these tools aspire to uncover. The sole use of positivist lenses is inadequate in seeking to better understand complexity. Assessment tools are usually formulated in a rational-technical or positivist manner. This can be problematic. The tools are driven by top-down technocratic motivations, which is not always ideal for an ever increasing complex society. Paradigms and theories influence our conceptualisation of phenomena and actions we take. This has been recognised by International Relations (IR) specialists and commentators confronted by the question of the discipline, relevance to policy formulation. International Relations can add to assessment practitioners’ knowledge and skills base since it is steeped in theory, deals with issues affecting all levels of society and investigates numerous concerns. Concepts and views from the discipline I will discuss are change, interactive processes, everyday international political economy and agential power and governability. The main question is what is the substance of these views and concepts and how can they assist the assessment practitioner? Throughout, I will indicate the relevance of the views and concepts, to assessment processes with practical examples.

Dams, displacement, and the delusion of development: Cahora Bassa and its legacies in Mozambique, 1965–2007

Copyright: 2015 Taylor & Francis. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains an abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publishers website. The definitive version of the work is published in South African Journal of International Affairs, 22(4), 539-540