The Financialization of Water

Abstract

This paper aims to locate developments in water delivery within broader financialization trends by considering three aspects of water management. First, despite clear failings of privatization over the past twenty years, state support for the private sector continues. Second, innovations have emerged so that water consumption generates wealth for private investment finance. Finally, private enterprises have gained increasing influence in sector policy. The paper demonstrates that financialization is incompatible with social objectives in water delivery.