Question

Analyse the resource geopolitics and the relevance of water resource to global politics.

Hint:

Explain resource geopolitics with oil and trade routes, then link water scarcity and shared rivers to conflict and cooperation.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the question:
Resource geopolitics is the study of how states compete for access to and control over natural resources.
The question asks for its meaning and then for the importance of water in world politics. Six points are given.

Step 2: Point 1: Meaning of resource geopolitics:
Countries try to secure and control resources such as oil, minerals, forests and water, since these decide economic and military strength.

Step 3: Point 2: Role in history:
European powers built their empires to get resources and to control trade routes.
During the Cold War, great powers fought for friendly states that held vital resources.

Step 4: Point 3: Energy resources:
Oil and gas are very important, and regions that hold large reserves, such as West Asia, have become centres of rivalry.

Step 5: Point 4: Why water matters:
Fresh water is unevenly spread over the world, and many regions face scarcity.
Over a billion people do not have safe drinking water, and the demand grows with population and industry.

Step 6: Point 5: Water as a cause of conflict:
Rivers cross national borders, and sharing their waters has led to disputes between countries.
Examples are the Nile basin, the Tigris and Euphrates, and the Jordan river.

Step 7: Point 6: Need for cooperation:
States, NGOs and international bodies have to find ways of sharing water, managing it well and keeping it a public good rather than letting it become only a market good.

Final Answer:
Resource geopolitics shows the struggle over resources, and water has become a key issue because of scarcity and shared rivers.