From water conflict resolution to water conflict transformation

The existence of multiple stakeholders with different interests, norms, goals, and values has made conflict an inseparable part of complex water systems. The destructive effects of conflict and undesired consequences on human-natural water resources systems have highlighted the need to recognize the appropriate approach to deal with water conflicts. Various methods and models have been applied in water conflict studies so far - such as optimization-simulation, game theory, water market, benefit-sharing, and interdependence. Although these models have been applied in several studies addressing subnational and transboundary river basin conflicts, the proposed solutions, strategies, and policies using these models have not led to effective dealing with water conflicts in many cases. Analysis and identification of the causes of inefficiency of conventional models in the water conflict studies led to the formation of the present study. The basic approaches of water conflict studies models are compared with the approaches in peace and conflict studies, and, in this regard, the degree of alignment of conventional methods in dealing with water conflicts with the developments in peace and conflict studies are investigated. The research hypothesis is that the lack of alignment of the principles of water conflict studies with recent developments in peace and conflict studies has led to fundamental weaknesses in conventional methods of dealing with water conflicts and failure to cooperate in river basins. Library resources and comparative analysis methods are used to test the research hypothesis.