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Challenging the ecological economics of water: Social and political perspectives

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  • Arnaud Buchs

    (GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Iratxe Calvo-Mendieta

    (TVES - Territoires, Villes, Environnement & Société - ULR 4477 - ULCO - Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale - Université de Lille, ULCO - Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale)

  • Olivier Petit

    (CLERSÉ - Centre Lillois d’Études et de Recherches Sociologiques et Économiques - UMR 8019 - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UA - Université d'Artois)

  • Philippe Roman

    (ICHEC - Brussels Management School [Bruxelles])

Abstract

This paper introduces the special section entitled "Ecological Economics of Water: social and political perspectives", which brings together articles published in successive issues of the journal in 2020 and 2021. By discussing the literature, we review contemporary issues and controversies surrounding water management and water policies to highlight the importance of the social and political dimensions that an ecological economics of water should address. We promote comprehensive and reflective approaches that consider institutions and institutional change seriously, e.g. to discuss the role of water-related indicators in water policies. We demonstrate the relevance of this special section that comes after two water-related special issues already published in Ecological Economics. Finally, we introduce each of the articles of this special section, which we believe can help shape a new avenue of research among ecological economists of water.

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  • Arnaud Buchs & Iratxe Calvo-Mendieta & Olivier Petit & Philippe Roman, 2021. "Challenging the ecological economics of water: Social and political perspectives," Post-Print halshs-03330707, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03330707
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107176
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