With Contested water, Joanna Robinson contributes to a larger narrative addressing local strategies of resistance against globalization and the increasing influence of multinational corporations on local resource decisions. She examines the struggles of two communities – Vancouver, British Columbia, and Stockton, California – in their attempts to stop the privatization of local water utilities. Highly contextualized, the book contrasts the experiences of the two communities to determine how the relative use of global and local frames in targeting action affects the course and outcome of anti-privatization movements.
The main argument of the book is oft repeated and clear: resisting globalization requires building solidarity across all levels, from the local to the global. The author examines the different ways that such resistance can, and cannot, be achieved. In the case of Vancouver, the struggle against privatization is viewed as an unequivocal success. Opposition to privatization plans was swift, united and decisive and the utility remains public. The case of Stockton is more nuanced. The anti-privatization movement initially failed and the water utility was privatized. However, as a result of legal challenges, the decision was later reversed at significant cost to the community.
The differences between the two movements are examined along several different themes. The author emphasizes the importance of framing for defining problems and creating a shared basis of understanding. The successful Vancouver movement made use of global frames, emphasizing the threats to local resource control, trade risks under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the negative privatization experiences of communities around the world. In Stockton, the frame was narrowly defined to focus on local political accountability, thereby alienating potential allies such as youth, unions, larger environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) operating at national and supra-national levels, and the local political elite. While the framing in Vancouver enabled the support and inclusion of local politicians by focusing attention on larger structural problems instead of individuals, that in Stockton targeted and vilified the mayor and important decision-makers, cutting off important channels of influence.
The experiences and positions of lead organizers are also emphasized. In Vancouver, many of the lead organizers were affiliated with union movements and had experience with transnational movements, established relationships with local political elites and were able to act as bridge builders between different interests and organizations. Organizers in Stockton were drawn from the community at large and lacked experience and connections, in part because the narrowness of the frame excluded those with experience organizing.
Another major emphasis of the author is the role and positioning of unions. In Stockton, the community and union movements, although united in their opposition to privatization, were unable to agree on a common frame. While the community movement focused their arguments on the failure of municipal officials to adhere to the expected democratic process, the union remained focused on business and labour issues. In Vancouver, a large public sector union that had previously addressed social justice issues undertook much of the organizing. As such, movement leaders were easily able to identify and build connections based on common causes within the anti-globalization framing of the larger movement. It also meant that the union could build on relationships established through their prior work in order to create a broad base of support.
While the content of the book addresses grassroots, localized movements, in language and in assumed knowledge of theory, this is entirely an academic work. The author puts forward a number of valuable recommendations for anti-privatization activists and for union organizers. These will require translation to a more accessible language and format if they are to reach their intended targets, but the value of the contribution means that this will be a worthwhile effort.
There are a few weak points throughout the book. Key terms are sometimes missing definition (e.g., social movement unionism, business unionism, governance). Social network analysis graphs are included at the very end of the book but without a clear explanation or justification for their use. The book is also occasionally repetitive, although this does ensure that key points are not lost.
In general, Contested water is well written and informative. The author provides an in-depth look at the contextualized nature of localized struggles against globalization and emphasizes the importance of broad, social justice framings that resonate across communities. She highlights the importance of well-connected leaders who are able to build bridges between potential allies, and the potential use of our legal systems as resources. While the lessons offered will require translation to reach the action level, they provide an important base for advancing the ability of communities to mobilize against privatization of their local water resources.
Marie Claire BrisboisDepartment of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo
© 2013 Canadian Water Resources Association
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07011784.2013.847259