Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Water Research in South Africa

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Paradigms and Theories Influencing Policies in the South African and International Water Sectors

  • 238 Accesses

Abstract

Research scientists investigate water research in South Africa through a number of lenses and focusing on the water sector’s various facets. The main aim of the research endeavour is to recommend solutions to the problems faced by the country’s water sector. What creeps in, so to speak, when conducting such research are the myths we rely on. In many instances these myths can bedevil the research process and lead to a situation where researchers paint only a partial picture of reality. This partiality can be mitigated by taking a stance that science is not dogmatic insistence, but constant critique. We see this one-sidedness when looking at current issues in South Africa’s water domain: acid mine drainage, integrated water resource management and transboundary river cooperation. We can move beyond such a situation by taking a critical solidarity stance bringing into focus other perspectives but also enough distance to represent the interests and needs of practitioners.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Stated very basically, neorealism is a systemic theory of International Relations that rests on the basic assumptions that states are the most important role players in world politics and that there is a clear distinction between the domestic and international political domains (Powell 1994).

  2. 2.

    Simply put, social constructivism is another International Relations theory that emphasises the importance of the norms and the identities of international actors in world affairs (Ruggie 1998).

  3. 3.

    Rational choice is another influential theory in the discipline of International Relations and builds on the fundamental aspects of the modern economy. The theory notes that the actor is central to political processes and more specifically actors that are utility maximisers. As such, decisions by actors, individual or collective, are based on cost-benefit analyses (Coicaud 2014). According to Isacoff (2015: 26) ‘…[rational choice theory’s] aura has been quite prominent in the soft positivismof structural realism. Most of realism’s core propositions—in particular, that actors are unitary and rational—are derived from positivism, generally speaking.’

References

  • Abbott A (2004) Methods of discovery: heuristics for the social sciences. Norton, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashton PJ (2007) Riverine biodiversity conservation in South Africa: current situation and future prospects. Aquat Conserv Marine Freshw Ecosyst 17(5):441–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas AK (2004) Integrated water resources management: a reassessment: a water forum contribution. Water Int 29(2):248–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chernoff F (2007) Theory and metatheory in international relations: concepts and contending accounts. Palgrave Macmillan, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Claassen M (2013) Integrated water resource management in South Africa. Int J Water Gov 1:323–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke C (2009) Paths between positivism and interpretivism: an appraisal of Hay’s via media. Politics 29(1):28–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coicaud J-M (2014) Emotions and passions in the discipline if international relations. Japan J Polit Sci 15(3):485–513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conley AH (1995) A synoptic view of water resources in Southern Africa. In: Paper delivered at the Conference of southern africa foundation for economic research on integrated development of regional water resources, Nyanga, Zimbabwe, Nov

    Google Scholar 

  • Conley AH (1996) The need to develop the water resources of Southern Africa. In: Paper delivered at the vic falls conference on aquatic systems, Zimbabwe, July

    Google Scholar 

  • Conley AH, Van Niekerk PH (1997) Sustainable management of international waters: the Orange river case. Pretoria, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox RW, Sinclair TJ (1996) Approaches to world order. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Du Plessis A (2000) Charting the course of the water discourse through the fog of International Relations theory. In: Solomon H, Turton A (eds) Water wars: enduring myth or impending reality. The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Durban

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons RA (1987) Narcissism: theory and measurement. J Pers Soc Psychol, 52(1): 11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Fromm E (1973) The anatomy of human destructiveness. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Funke N, Oelofse SHH, Hattingh J, Ashton PJ, Turton AR (2007) IWRM in developing countries: lessons from the Mhlatuze Catchment in South Africa. Phys Chem Earth Parts A/B/C 32(15):1237–1245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Global Water Partnership (GWP) (2000) Integrated water resources management. TAC background papers no 4. Global Water Partnership, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Global Water Partnership (GWP) (2014) IWRM planning cycle. Global Water Partnership, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldacre B (2009) Bad science. Fourth Estate, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Green OO, Cosens BA, Garmestani AS (2013) Resilience in transboundary water governance: the Okavango River Basin. Ecol Soc 18(2):23

    Google Scholar 

  • Guba EG (1990) The alternative paradigm dialog. In: Guba EG (ed) The alternative paradigm dialog. Sage Publications, Newbury Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobson JM (2012) The Eurocentric conception of world politics: western international theory, 1760–2010. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hoekstra AY (2003) Virtual water trade: proceedings of the international expert meeting on virtual water trade. IHE Delft, Delft

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummel D, Kluge T, Liehr S, Hachelaf M (2006) Virtual water trade: documentation of an international expert workshop. Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Frankfurt am Main

    Google Scholar 

  • Institute for Global Environmental Leadership (IGEL) (2011) Valuing water: how can business manage the coming scarcity?. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Isacoff JB (2015) Why IR needs pragmatism. Perspect Polit Sci 44(1):26–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonker L (2007) Integrated water resources management: the theory-praxis-nexus, a South African perspective. Phys Chem Earth 32:1257–1263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy MD (2013) From affirmative to critical solidarity in politics. In: Stetter E, Duffek K, Skrzypek A (eds) Framing a new progressive narrative. Foundation for European Progressive Studies and the Renner Institut, Warsaw

    Google Scholar 

  • King G, Keohane RO, Verba S (1994) Designing social inquiry: scientific inference in qualitative research. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolver L (2012) Acid mine drainage issue reaching critical stage—WRC. Engineering news, 21 Sept 2012. Accessed at http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/acid-mine-drainage-issue-reaching-critical-stage-wrc-2012-09-20. Accessed on: 29 May 2014

  • Kolver L (2014) Praise and criticism. Mining Weekly 20(14), April 18–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotter JP (1995) Leading change: why transformations efforts fail. Harvard Bus Rev 73(2):59–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurki M (2006) Cause of a divided discipline: rethinking the concept of cause in international relations. Rev Int Stud 32(2):189–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurki M, Wight C (2013) International relations and social science. In: Dunne T, Kurki M, Smith S (eds) International relations theories: discipline and diversity, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebow RN (2007) What can we know? How do we know? In: Lebow RN, Lichbach MI (eds) Theory and evidence in comparative politics and international relations. Palgrave Macmillan, New York

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lenton R, Muller M (2009) Introduction. In: Lenton R, Muller M (eds) Integrated water resources management in practice: better water management for development. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln YS, Lynham SA, Guba EG (2011) Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences, revisited. In: Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (eds) The SAGE handbook of qualitative research, 4th edn. Sage, Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • Maruggi M (2012) Through solidarity to “fluidarity”: understanding difference and developing change agency through narrative reflection. Teach Theol Relig 15(4):307–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason N (2013) Uncertain frontiers: mapping new corporate engagement in water security. Overseas Development Institute, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsuura K (No date) Foreword. In: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (ed) IWRM guidelines at river basin level, part I: principles. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald T (2014) Battered, but unbroken: epistemological and theoretical challenges to western IR theory (realism and world systems theory). Eur Sci J 1(1):449–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehta L, Alba R, Bolding A, Denby K, Derman B, Hove T, Manzungu E, Movik S, Prabhakaran P, Van Koppen B (2014) The politics of IWRM in Southern Africa. Water Resour Develop 30(3):528–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R (1998) Water as ‘n bron van politieke konflik en samewerking: ‘n Vergelykende studie van die Midde-Ooste en Suider-Afrika. Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R (2004) The transnational role and involvement of interest groups in water politics: a comparative analysis of selected Southern Africa case studies. D.Phil. Dissertation, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R (2005) Interest groups and the proposed Epupa Dam: towards a theory of water politics. Politeia 24(3):354–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Funke N (2014) The politics of establishing catchment management agencies in South Africa: the case of the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency. In: Huitema D, Meijerink S (eds.) The politics of river basin organisations: coalitions, institutional design choices and consequences. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R (2016) Water security in Southern Africa: discourses securitising water and the implications for water governance and politics. In: Pahl-Wostl C, Bhaburi A, Gupta J (eds) Handbook on water security. Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Jacobs I (2016) Theorising complex water governance in Africa: the case of the proposed Epupa Dam on the Kunene River. Int Environ Agreements: Polit Law Econ 14(2):21–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meissner R, Ramasar V (2015) Governance and politics in the upper Limpopo River basin. South Africa. Geo J 80(5):689–709

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer J (2010) Emotional beliefs. Int Org 64(1):1–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercer J (2014) Feeling like a state: social emotion and identity. Int Theor 6(3):515–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nel P (1999) Theories of international relations. In: Nel P, McGowan PJ (eds) Power, wealth and global order: an international relations textbook for Africa. University of Cape Town Press, Rondebosch

    Google Scholar 

  • Odendaal N (2014) ConCourt rules on acid mine drainage. Engineering News 19 Feb 2014. Accessed at http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/concourt-rules-on-acid-mine-drainage-liability-2014-02-19. Accessed on 29 May 2014

  • Osiander A (2001) Sovereignty, international relations, and the Westphalian myth. Int Org 55(2):251–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary (2013) Oxford dictionaries: Language matters. Accessed at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/. Accessed on 2 June 2014

  • Pahl-Wostl C, Jeffrey P, Isendahl N, Brugnach M (2011) Maturing the new water management paradigm: progressing from aspiration to practice. Water Resour Manage 25(3):837–856

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piderit SK (2000) Rethinking resistance and recognizing ambivalence: a multidimensional view of attitudes toward an organizational change. Acad Manag Rev 25(4):783–794

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumwood V (2002) Environmental culture: the ecological crisis of reason. Routledge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard S, Du Toit D (2008) Integrated water resource management in complex systems: how the catchment management strategies seek to achieve sustainability and equity in water resources in South Africa. Water SA 34(6):671–679

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponterotto JG (2005) Qualitative research in counselling psychology: a primer on research paradigms and philosophy of science. J Counselling Psychol 52(2):126–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Post JM (2014) Dreams of glory: Narcissism and politics. Psychoanal Inquiry 34:475–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell R (1994) Anarchy in international relations theory: the neorealist-neoliberal debate. Int Org 48(2):313–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1997) White paper on a National Water Policy for South Africa. Government Printer, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1998) National Water Act. Act 36 of 1998. Government Printer, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers K, Roux D, Biggs H (2000) Challenges for catchment management agencies: lessons from bureaucracies, business and resource management. Water SA 26(4):505–511

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg A (2012) Philosophy of the social science, 4th edn. Westview Press, Boulder Co

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal SA, Pittinsky TL (2006) Narcissistic leadership. Leadership Quart 17:617–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roux D, Murray K, Van Wyk E (2009) Enabling effective learning in catchment management agencies: a philosophy and strategy. WRC report no. TT 421/09. Water Research Commission, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggie JG (1998) What makes the world hang together? Neo-utilitarianism and the social construction challenge. Int Org 52(4):855–887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabaratnam M (2015) Staging a battle, losing the wars? International studies, ‘science’ and the neoliberalisation of the university. Millennium J Int Stud 43(3):975–979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SABMiller (2010) Water futures: working together for a secure water future. SABMiller, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Saravanan VS, McDonald GT, Mollinga PP (2008) Critical review of integrated water resources management: moving beyond polarised discourses. ZEF working paper series, no. 29. Center for Development Research, Bonn

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholz SJ (2008) Political solidarity. Penn State Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholz SJ (2013) Political solidarity and the more-than-human world. Ethics Environ 18(2):81–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze RE (2011a) Approaches towards practical adaptive management options for selected water related sectors in South Africa in a context of climate change. Water SA 37(5):621–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze RE (2011b) A 2011 perspective on climate change and the South African water sector. Water Research Commission WRC report no. 1843/2/11, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Siebrits R, Winter K, Jacobs I (2014) Water research paradigm shifts in South Africa. S Afr J Sci 110(5/6):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith MJ (2005) “Empiricism, idealism, realism”, from philosophy and methodology in social sciences. Sage Publications, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Springer S (2012) Neoliberalism as discourse: between Foucauldian political economy and Marxian poststructuralism. Critical Discourse Stud 9(2):133–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern G (2000) The structure of international society: an introduction to the study of international relations. Pinter, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone A (1994) What is a supranational constitution? An essay in international relations theory. Rev Polit 56(3):441–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart-hill SI, Schulze RE (2010) Does South Africa’s water law and policy allow for climate change adaptation? Climate Develop 2(2):128–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sturm D (1996–1998) Review essay: moving towards political reconciliation: The role of Christian churches when the powers fall: reconciliation in the healing of nations by Walter Wink. J Law Relig 13(1):239–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Swatuk LA (2005) Political challenges to implementing IWRM in Southern Africa. Phys Chem Earth Parts A/B/C 30(11):872–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor C (1985) Philosophy and the human sciences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Teschke B (2003) The myth of 1648: class, geopolitics, and the making of modern international relations. Verso, London and New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas R, Hardy C (2011) Reframing resistance to organizational change. Scand J Manag 27(3):322–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turton AR (1997) The hydropolitics of Southern Africa: the case of the Zambezi River Basin as an area of potential co-operation based on allan’s concept of ‘virtual water’, M.A. Thesis, Department of International Politics, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2009) IWRM guidelines at river basin level. Part 1: principles. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wyk J-AK (1998) Towards water security in Southern Africa. Afr Secur Rev 7(2):59–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Varkey P, Antonio K (2010) Change management for effective quality improvement: a primer. Am J Med Qual 25(4):268–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner J (2000) Integrated management requires an integrated society: towards a new hydrosocial contract for the 21st century. The African Water Issues Research Unit (AWIRU), Occasional Paper, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber C (2014) International relations theory: a critical introduction, 4th edn. Routledge, Abingdon

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendt A (1999) Social theory of international politics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson P (1998) The myth of the “first great debate”. Rev Int Stud 24(5):1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winch P (1990) The idea of a social science and its relation to philosophy, 2nd edn. Routledge, Abingdon, Great Britain

    Google Scholar 

  • Wink W (1998) When the powers fall: reconciliation in the healing of nations. Fortress Press, Minneapolis

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeitoun M, Jägerskog A (2011) Addressing power asymmetry: how transboundary water management may serve to reduce poverty. report Nr. 29. Stockholm International Water Institute, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziman J (2001) Getting scientists to think about what they are doing. Sci Eng Ethics 7:165–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Richard Meissner

  2. Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa

    Richard Meissner

Authors
  1. Richard Meissner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Meissner .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Meissner, R. (2017). Water Research in South Africa. In: Paradigms and Theories Influencing Policies in the South African and International Water Sectors. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48547-8_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation