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People help the people: A critical discourse analysis of NGO activism against water privatisation in El Salvador

Olsen, Line Lundager LU (2022) HEKK03 20212
Department of Human Geography
Human Ecology
Abstract
This thesis concerns itself with the current state of water activism in El Salvador. For 20 years the topic has been a point of conflict for the nation, with both wins and losses for the water activists. The previous academic research into this consists of ethnographic studies. However, not much has been done to discuss this topic through discourse analysis, and so this is what has been done here. The lens of critical discourse analysis enlightens some of the challenges that the activists face, as well as the power relations behind them. Through three semi-structured interviews, the experiences of Salvadoran water activists are examined. The results from those interviews shine a light on the current state of the discourse they are a part... (More)
This thesis concerns itself with the current state of water activism in El Salvador. For 20 years the topic has been a point of conflict for the nation, with both wins and losses for the water activists. The previous academic research into this consists of ethnographic studies. However, not much has been done to discuss this topic through discourse analysis, and so this is what has been done here. The lens of critical discourse analysis enlightens some of the challenges that the activists face, as well as the power relations behind them. Through three semi-structured interviews, the experiences of Salvadoran water activists are examined. The results from those interviews shine a light on the current state of the discourse they are a part of, as well as the discourse they are fighting against. There is still prevalent prosecution of activist NGOs and a lot of criticism and ridicule of activists from the government and its supporters. Despite this, the interviewees all expressed their reasons for continuing in their activism as majorly attributed to the solidarity they feel about it. Thus, it remains important to keep an eye on the fight for water in El Salvador, and to learn from their experiences how important it is to prioritise the environment. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Olsen, Line Lundager LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKK03 20212
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
activism, El Salvador, water politics, water privatisation, power
language
English
id
9070948
date added to LUP
2022-01-21 14:08:11
date last changed
2022-01-21 14:08:11
@misc{9070948,
  abstract     = {{This thesis concerns itself with the current state of water activism in El Salvador. For 20 years the topic has been a point of conflict for the nation, with both wins and losses for the water activists. The previous academic research into this consists of ethnographic studies. However, not much has been done to discuss this topic through discourse analysis, and so this is what has been done here. The lens of critical discourse analysis enlightens some of the challenges that the activists face, as well as the power relations behind them. Through three semi-structured interviews, the experiences of Salvadoran water activists are examined. The results from those interviews shine a light on the current state of the discourse they are a part of, as well as the discourse they are fighting against. There is still prevalent prosecution of activist NGOs and a lot of criticism and ridicule of activists from the government and its supporters. Despite this, the interviewees all expressed their reasons for continuing in their activism as majorly attributed to the solidarity they feel about it. Thus, it remains important to keep an eye on the fight for water in El Salvador, and to learn from their experiences how important it is to prioritise the environment.}},
  author       = {{Olsen, Line Lundager}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{People help the people: A critical discourse analysis of NGO activism against water privatisation in El Salvador}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}