The Impact of Social Mobilizations on Water Policy in the European Union: The Cases of Right2Water Movement, Spain & Portugal

Abstract

Despite international recognition of the importance of water, there is a disparity between policy choices and the needs of the people. One method available for citizens in the European Union to voice their concerns about water policy is through mobilizing and finding avenues for protest. This is evident in three case studies: the Right2Water European Citizens Initiative and social mobilization efforts in Spain and Portugal. Social mobilizations focused on water are capable of impacting policy at both the European Union and national levels of governance with varying degrees of success. Water mobilizations generally focus around two primary issues: neoliberal approaches to policy making which favour a reduction in government spending and an over reliance on the private sector to deliver services, and the process ofdepoliticization which hides the political nature of decisions made concerning water policy.Water policy is shaped by economic, industrial, and social needs. This paper will elaborate on how neoliberal policy and depolitization impact water policy, stressing how social mobilizations can have tangible impacts. The paper elaborates on the topic through a literature review and case study analysis, and concludes that while water-based social mobilizations impact water policy, they are inconsistent, and they succeed because of significant pressure and effort.Keywords: Social mobilization, European Union, Spain, Portugal, hydraulic policy, policy, governance, depoliticization, neoliberalism, privatization.