Political Structure and Dam Conflicts: Comparing Cases in Southeast Asia
(2004) World Water Council 4th World Water Forum p.95-114- Abstract
- This paper argues that different political structures use different conflict management
mechanisms to manage opposition to large hydro projects. Conflicts over the Pak Mun Dam,
Thailand (a liberal democracy), and the Bakun Dam, Malaysia (a semi-authoritarian state),
are the cases selected for comparison. The export oriented, fast industrialization process
brought rapid development in these two countries. Large-scale water development projects,
particularly big dams, have been constructed to meet an increasing demand for energy.
However, these hydroelectric projects have been the source of conflict between the policy
maker and the public. Though the countries face similar... (More) - This paper argues that different political structures use different conflict management
mechanisms to manage opposition to large hydro projects. Conflicts over the Pak Mun Dam,
Thailand (a liberal democracy), and the Bakun Dam, Malaysia (a semi-authoritarian state),
are the cases selected for comparison. The export oriented, fast industrialization process
brought rapid development in these two countries. Large-scale water development projects,
particularly big dams, have been constructed to meet an increasing demand for energy.
However, these hydroelectric projects have been the source of conflict between the policy
maker and the public. Though the countries face similar conflict situations, the regime’s
conflict management responses significantly differ from each other.
The paper finds that the political design of the liberal democratic country allows better public
participation in the management of ‘dam’ conflicts. In contrast, the authoritarian regime reacts
with a more oppressive approach to prevent escalation of the opposition against dam
building. A non-democratic regime is thus more effective in the implementation of policy
decisions to build big dams through its suppressive methods. Suppressive action may force
reconciliation of the conflict at the surface level, but it neither addresses the root of the
problem nor helps to secure benefits for the majority. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/4353962
- author
- Ang, Ming Chee LU and Swain, Ashok
- publishing date
- 2004
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Dam Conflicts, Southeast Asia, Liberal democracy, Semi-authoritarian, Pak Mun Dam, Thailand, Bakun Dam, Malaysia, Conflict Management.
- host publication
- [Host publication title missing]
- editor
- WWC, World Water Council
- pages
- 20 pages
- publisher
- The World Water Council
- conference name
- World Water Council 4th World Water Forum
- conference dates
- 2004-02-26
- ISBN
- 92-95017-09-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- b391b16b-7d97-4b04-b30c-6fa9ee38343c (old id 4353962)
- alternative location
- http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/Library/Publications_and_reports/Proceedings_Water_Politics/proceedings_waterpol_pp.95-114.pdf
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 09:56:50
- date last changed
- 2018-11-21 20:55:47
@inproceedings{b391b16b-7d97-4b04-b30c-6fa9ee38343c,
abstract = {{This paper argues that different political structures use different conflict management<br/><br>
mechanisms to manage opposition to large hydro projects. Conflicts over the Pak Mun Dam,<br/><br>
Thailand (a liberal democracy), and the Bakun Dam, Malaysia (a semi-authoritarian state),<br/><br>
are the cases selected for comparison. The export oriented, fast industrialization process<br/><br>
brought rapid development in these two countries. Large-scale water development projects,<br/><br>
particularly big dams, have been constructed to meet an increasing demand for energy.<br/><br>
However, these hydroelectric projects have been the source of conflict between the policy<br/><br>
maker and the public. Though the countries face similar conflict situations, the regime’s<br/><br>
conflict management responses significantly differ from each other.<br/><br>
The paper finds that the political design of the liberal democratic country allows better public<br/><br>
participation in the management of ‘dam’ conflicts. In contrast, the authoritarian regime reacts<br/><br>
with a more oppressive approach to prevent escalation of the opposition against dam<br/><br>
building. A non-democratic regime is thus more effective in the implementation of policy<br/><br>
decisions to build big dams through its suppressive methods. Suppressive action may force<br/><br>
reconciliation of the conflict at the surface level, but it neither addresses the root of the<br/><br>
problem nor helps to secure benefits for the majority.}},
author = {{Ang, Ming Chee and Swain, Ashok}},
booktitle = {{[Host publication title missing]}},
editor = {{WWC, World Water Council}},
isbn = {{92-95017-09-9}},
keywords = {{Dam Conflicts; Southeast Asia; Liberal democracy; Semi-authoritarian; Pak Mun Dam; Thailand; Bakun Dam; Malaysia; Conflict Management.}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{95--114}},
publisher = {{The World Water Council}},
title = {{Political Structure and Dam Conflicts: Comparing Cases in Southeast Asia}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/5423455/4360370}},
year = {{2004}},
}