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5
Introduction
This article discusses the problems besetting the definition of the phrase “water
wars” with all its derivatives and the use made of it (conflict, dispute, etc.). Among
other factors we shall attempt to put in proportion the controversial conclusions
that spring up from time to time in diverse sources concernedwithwarfare, conflict
and sundry struggles over water and in the political-media-public discourse fed
by them.
A considerable part of our critique features databases for water conflicts. We do
not aim to make any change in paradigms, but to raise some questions about the
need to treat water conflicts more carefully, and also to criticize the sources and
their processing. Among other things we shall show as misconceived the aim of
denying the existence of water wars, and disregarding the global picture, which
already today is replete with water struggles and apparently will become more
violent in the foreseeable future.
Despite the considerable criticism leveled here at existing definitions and
databases, we do not present new definitions or coding methods—a complex and
consuming task; instead our contribution is the questioning itself of the paradigm
presently existing, and the examples that we set out and that challenge the
academic community to respond.
Research on water wars
To date much has been written and not a little learnt about water wars and their
like that have been conducted in diverse ways and whose implications have found
expression all over the world.
The written legacy of those concerned with water wars has broken records. Till
now hundreds of books and articles have been published in the framework of
various scientific paradigms and disciplines (from economics and sociology
to history and geography) that give examples of wars over water being fought
worldwide for the past five millennia at least.
Many books treat specific water wars, such as those in the Middle East (Soffer
1992, 2006; Berkovsky & Soffer 2014b; Naff &Matson 1984; Starr & Stoll 1988). Many