Against the current: transboundary water management in small states on two continents

Abstract

In general, studies on regional integration and transboundary water management (TWM) focus on the relationships between large states. Instead, this paper analyses TWM in relation to two cross-border cases involving small states: GermanyLuxembourg and Mexico-Belize. Small states are significant due to their presumed adherence to regional governance and vulnerability to external shocks, especially those of climate change and environmental threats. Specifically, the article asks: How well do small states implement regional water governance models, especially in crossborder contexts? It concludes that the interpersonal bargaining and consensus-building that characterizes small state governance limits effective TWM.

Addressing seeming paradoxes by embracing them: small state theory and the integration of migrants

“…In response, other observers, such as Katzenstein ( 1985 , 2003 ) and Cooper and Shaw ( 2009 ) highlighted distinct approaches to policy-making which promoted innovation and prosperity amongst small states. Small states are portrayed as both vulnerable and adept at risk governance (see Koff and Maganda 2015 ; Koff et al 2020 ; Lusa 2019 ). Another seeming paradox is the recognized commitment of small states to international norms in constructivist perspectives (see Siitonen 2017 ; Graham and Graham 2019 ; Nadalutti 2020 ) whereas neo-functionalist views describe small states as global actors driven by economic logic and incentives for trade optimization (see Schiff 2014 ).…”

“…However, comparative, cross-regional research has also shown how these very characteristics have contributed to governance challenges in transnational policy sectors. For example, Koff and Maganda ( 2015 ) have indicated that these characteristics can be counter-productive in transboundary water management. Their research shows how openness to international economies actually affects the homogeneity of small state populations by exacerbating inequalities; niches in global economies contribute to risk exposure; the propensity for social solidarity reinforces national resource management at the expense of transnational cooperation; and above all the propensity for interpersonal relation can prevent the evolution of legal/institutional responses to political issues, especially when they are transnational in nature.…”