Chapter
2:
Concept
note
Chapter
2.
Concept
note
Key
message:
This
chapter
presents
an
analytical
framework
for
the
exploration
of
the
inherently
political
processes
of
water
management.
It
serves
as
a
structural
guidance
for
the
field
research
and
subsequent
analysis.
We
identify
several
key
components,
based
upon
a
number
of
existing
frameworks
and
proven
concepts,
to
analyse
the
political
economy
and
the
conflict
dimensions
of
water
management
in
Yemen.
The
resulting
analytical
framework
has
been
used
to
answer
the
key
questions
of
our
research:
1)
What
is
the
interest
of
stakeholders
involved
in
the
emergence
of
water-‐related
conflicts?
2)
Which
conflict
solutions
(formal
and
traditional)
are
used
for
preventing
or
resolving
conflicts
in
land
and
water
management?
and
3)
Are
these
solutions
part
of
existing
practices
being
used
or
of
new
arrangements
being
established?
Understanding
the
political-‐economy
of
water
management,
and
explaining
the
key
characteristics
and
drivers
of
water
conflicts
and/or
cooperation
over
shared
resources,
requires
a
different
analytical
approach
than
that
used
within
other
conventional
frameworks
for
conflict
analysis,
e.g.,
developed
by
the
UN,
USIP,
USAid.
The
necessity
of
developing
a
different
tailormade
framework
for
water
conflict
analysis
is
explained
by
the
fact
that
water
management
and
governance
is
characterized
by
complexity
and
uncertainty,
as
water
use
is
influenced
through
dynamics
from
the
natural,
societal
and
political
domain.
Water
issues
are
complex
because
of
their
intricate
coupling
with
multiple
issues
within
the
natural
and
societal
domains.
Additionally,
water
management
must
take
into
account
issues
related
to
uncertainty,
nonlinearity
and
feedback.
Uncertainties
related
to
conflict
and
cooperation
over
water
resources
are
of
a
diverse
nature.
It
may
entail
unpredictability
of
developments
(e.g.,
climatic,
demographic,
economic,
or
political),
incomplete
knowledge,
ambiguity
or
conflicting
views
on
the
seriousness
of
a
problem,
its
causes
and
potential
solutions.
Nowadays,
uncertainties
related
to
water
resource
management
are
on
the
rise
since
the
pace
and
dimensions
of
changes
(e.g.,
climatic,
demographic)
are
accelerating
and
are
likely
to
do
so
even
more
in
the
future.
Key
questions
within
this
research:
1)
What
is
the
interest
of
stakeholders
involved
in
the
emergence
of
water-‐related
conflicts?
2)
Which
conflict
solutions
(formal
and
traditional)
are
used
for
preventing
or
resolving
conflicts
in
land
and
water
management?
and
3)
Are
these
solutions
part
of
existing
practices
being
used
or
of
new
arrangements
being
established?
To
answer
the
above
questions,
we
have
used
the
following
key
references
for
developing
our
conceptual
and
analytical
framework:
The Political Economy in Yemen of Water Management: Conflict Analysis and Recommendations
31
of
241