Hot Water after the Cold War – Water Policy Dynamics in (Semi-)Authoritarian States

Abstract

This introductory article of the special section introduces the central question that the section addresses: do water policy dynamics in (semi-)authoritarian states have specific features as compared to other state forms? The article situates the question in the post-Cold War global water governance dynamics, argues that the state is a useful and required entry point for water policy analysis, explores the meaning of (semi-)authoritarian as a category, and finally introduces the three papers, which are on China, South Africa and Vietnam.

Keywords

• water policy
• state form
• (semi-)authoritarian
• society-centric
• China
• South Africa
• Vietnam