Theoretical Responses to Water Justice

A Discussion Between Neoliberalism, Neo-Marxism, and Ecofeminism

Abstract

The global debates surrounding water justice have been reinvigorated in light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. While arguing against water injustices, the debates have defined lack of availability, accessibility, or affordability of water as highest injustice prevailing in modern societies. The present paper explores these debates and presents mainly the theoretical dimensions of water justice by engaging with three prominent intellectual frameworks neoliberalism, neo-Marxism, and Eco-feminism that have shaped global water governance debates. The paper seeks to feature that while each of these perspectives presents distinct normative arguments for addressing water inequities, they also critique one another, which fundamentally creates a complex landscape of intellectual engagement. Neo-liberalism advocates for market-driven solutions, neo-Marxism emphasizes the role of capitalism in exacerbating water inequality, and Eco-feminism highlights the intersection of gender, environment, and water access. Through a critical examination of these discourses, this paper seeks to clarify the concept of water justice, assess the validity of the various theoretical positions, and explore their implications for water policy and global development. By discussing, analyzing and synthesizing these perspectives, the paper aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of water justice and its potential pathways for achieving equitable and sustainable water governance. Throughout the paper insist that in the process of water justice, it is crucial to minimize monopolization and bureaucratization of water resources, and to identify water threats like tyranny of water haves and inconveniences of water have-nots.