Water for the twenty-first century: Challenges and misconceptions

This is a critical review of global debates over water, water scarcity, and water resource management. The author demonstrates that global perspectives on water resources management tend to be based on vague political, economic and theoretical positions. As an example of the lack of an empirically based approach, the author uses the debate on the water "crisis". This debate often neglects the unequal access and control over the resources. By seeing water as just an economic asset one ignores the cultural and social components which also determine access. To conclude, the author defends the need to have a diverse inclusive debate that reflects the multifaceted aspects of people's lives and their water needs.