Distributive Politics Reconsidered - The Wisdom of the Western Water Ethic in the Contemporary Energy Context

In: Policy studies journal: an international journal of public policy, Volume 7, Issue 1, p. 49-58

Abstract

Distributive politics, in which resources are parceled out with no one losing to benefit others, is often condemned as a source of water allocation inefficiencies. Water supply & use in the Colo Basin is reviewed, revealing overallocation of water resources. Energy development programs need substantial amounts of water, & are likely to increase the strain on water resources far enough for overallocation to become visible. Voters are generally in favor of energy development, but not to giving up other water uses for it. The ethic of unlimited water rights, however, is actually advantageous, in forcing debate over water for energy industries to take place on a nonmonetary basis which would not be available if water were seen as a commercial resource. 2 Tables. W. H. Stoddard.