PRIVATIZED WATER A FAILURE EVERY TIME

PRIVATIZED WATER A FAILURE EVERY TIME



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “failure of privatized water” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “failure of privatized water” and its relation with “grass root organizing”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “grass root organizing” and tries to gauge its effect on “privatization of water”.

Table of content

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

ABSTRACTiv

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Research1

Aims and Objectives4

Research Question4

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Technology, Engineering, and Urbanization5

Water War in Latin America7

Strategies used to stop privatization of water8

Social mechanisms8

Contemporary Political Economies of Water10

Eco-Socialism Grassroots Organizing12

Grassroots Transformative Organizing In South Africa13

Grass root organizing in Atlanta14

Public resistance to water privatization15

Role of civil society17

Political goals18

New Environmental Markets19

Varied Outcomes and Social Responses20

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY22

Research Design22

Literature Search22

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS23

World Bank, IMF Conditions23

Privatization in Bolivia24

Privatization in Ghana25

Privatization in Atlanta, Georgia27

Ghana Fights back37

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION42

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

“Water is the essence of life. Without water, human beings cannot live for more than a few days. It plays a vital role in nearly every function of the body”. (World Health Organization, 2003, p. 6)

Over 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water, but less than 3% of that water is fresh water. Out of that 3% freshwater, less than 1% is readily accessible for humans and ecosystems. According to the United Nations, 1.1 billion people lack access to an adequate supply of drinking water. Since water is essential to life, if anyone is denied from access to water, one is essentially deprived of life and liberty.

Private companies claim that privatization would limit those few who abused and wasted common water resources, allowing everyone to moderate their water usage. In practice, privatization often accelerated water waste and exploitation, often causing even more economic and ecological damage. Proponents of privatization argued that inefficient local bureaucracies did not have enough incentive to expand water access to rapidly bourgeoning urban populations. Since public water infrastructure has kept the price of water artificially low, farmers can freely exploit limited water resources. On the other hand, if a private company were in charge of a given water resource, they would try to conserve and reuse it as much as possible. For example, recent innovations have even perfected the water purification process to the point that they can covert toilet water into completely potable water. Unlike corrupt politicians who limit water access for political favoritism, private companies try to expand their customer base as wide as possible.

Private water corporations have identified privatizing and managing municipal water ...