Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Political Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2
Department of Political Geography, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Political Geography, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
4
Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Geopolitical knowledge, through its field of study, which is a combination of geography and political science, examines the role of geographical sources of power and the use of these sources in the relations between actors. In fact, geopolitical knowledge is based on the two pillars of the geographical sources of power and the relations of the actors. Therefore, in geopolitical knowledge, the relations between the actors are realized based on the geographical sources of their power (Janparvar, 1396). Life and survival are the highest values of creation. Habitat and habitat all make sense in connection with water. But the challenge is that only 2.5 percent of the world's fresh water and only half of this amount is available to humans (Kaviani-Rad et al., 1399: 86). This small amount is also very heterogeneously distributed in the world. On the other hand, the expansion of urbanization, population growth and the expansion of inefficient agriculture have led to the threat of existing freshwater resources (Araqchi, 2014: 93). In the last hundred years, per capita global water consumption has grown 9-fold (Dellapenna, 2001: 209). Despite unprecedented changes in the political geography of the world, in most parts of the world, water has always been a key element in the foreign policy of countries. Numerous examples of conflicts between countries can be cited, including the issue of restricting water resources (for example, Turkey, Iraq and Syria with surface and groundwater pollution of the Danube River in Europe).
research method
The main method of this research is descriptive-analytical due to its theoretical nature. Accordingly, in this research, an attempt has been made to provide a general picture of the concept and nature of hydropolitics and on the other hand to explain the dimensions of hydropolitics. In this research, library and internet information has been used to collect information.
Research Findings
The concept of hydropolitics
Among the important issues in the field of hydropolitics are numerous and sometimes non-transparent conceptualizations. Studies on the conceptualizations that have been made of hydropolitics seem to be such that, while lacking transparency and comprehensibility, it has not been able to show the relationship between hydropolitics and geopolitics in a logical way. Based on this, it seems that if we consider the relationship between geopolitics and hydropolitics in general, the definition of hydropolitics should be in a way that is consistent with the definition of geopolitics and on the other hand is in a way. Which, while being transparent, can also be understood. If we consider the definition of geopolitics as geopolitics is the knowledge, acquisition, productivity and preservation of geographical sources of power in transnational, national, regional and global relations; In other words, geopolitics is the knowledge of designing and reviewing the strategies of actors to achieve benefits and goals based on geographical sources of power (Janparvar, 1396: 28). Based on the relationship between geopolitics and hydropolitics, hydropolitics should be conceptualized as follows:
Hydropolitics is the knowledge, acquisition, efficiency and conservation of water and related issues as a geographical source of power in transnational, national, regional and global relations; In other words, hydropolitics is the knowledge of designing and reviewing actors' strategies to achieve water-based interests and goals and related issues as a geographical source of power.
Hydropolitical dimensions
As a rule, there are different views and perceptions in the field of hydropolitical forms, some of which were mentioned above and analyzed. It seems that in order to have a systematic and complete hydropolitical attitude, studies in the field of hydropolitics can be conducted in the form of three dimensions.
The first dimension: water as a geographical source of power
In the first dimension of hydropolitical studies, water should be studied as a geographical source of power in the form of four sections as follows.
The second dimension: water-based relationships
In the second dimension of hydropolitical studies, water as a geographical source of power in the form of four sections should be studied as follows.
Dimension 3: Water-based strategies
In the third dimension of hydropolitical studies, water as a geographical source of power in the form of two parts should be studied as follows.
Conclusion
The purpose of this research, which is fundamental in nature, is to provide a favorable and appropriate approach for institutionalizing the concept of hydropolitics. Therefore, in this research, using a descriptive-analytical method, a new model and attitude to the concept and dimensions of hydropolitics have been presented. Among the important issues in the field of hydropolitics are numerous and sometimes opaque conceptualizations. Studies on the conceptualizations of hydropolitics show that most of what has been written, while lacking transparency and comprehensibility, has not been able to logically show the relationship between hydropolitics and geopolitics. Based on this, it seems that if we consider the relationship between geopolitics and hydropolitics in general, the definition of hydropolitics should be in a way that is consistent with the definition of geopolitics and on the other hand is in a way. Which, while being transparent, can also be understood. If we consider the definition of geopolitics as geopolitics is the knowledge, acquisition, productivity and preservation of geographical sources of power in transnational, national, regional and global relations; In other words, geopolitics is the knowledge of designing and reviewing the strategies of actors to achieve interests and goals based on geographical sources of power (Janparvar, 1396: 28). Based on the relationship between geopolitics and hydropolitics, hydropolitics should be conceptualized as follows: Hydropolitics is the knowledge, acquisition, efficiency and conservation of water and related issues as geographical source of power in transnational, national, regional and global relations; In other words, hydropolitics is the knowledge of designing and reviewing actors' strategies to achieve water-based interests and goals and related issues as a geographical source of power.
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