Words Between Lines: Development Discourse on Dams for Sustainable Development and a Climate Change Future in Pakistan
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Date
2017-09-06
Authors
Houston, Henry
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Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Pakistan currently experiences a deficit in its energy supply and upcoming water shortage. Lack of energy negatively impacts the country's economy, and water shortage would put stress on its agriculture, for example. Furthermore, climate change will further exacerbate these two problems. Dams are considered as a solution because of their ability to manage water resources while generating electricity. Informed by Michel Foucault's power/ knowledge, the purpose of this thesis is to understand how energy and water professionals in Pakistan view sustainable development, and if dams can be considered as sustainable development and climate change adaptive infrastructure. Drawing on interviews in Pakistan, I found that professionals supported dams through mobilizing technocratic discourses that were perceived as apolitical. Yet, I also find that these discourses are political, and I discuss the ramifications of the mobilization of technical discourses that claim to be apolitical for future energy policy decisions in Pakistan.
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Keywords
Dams, Pakistan, Power/ knowledge, Sustainable development