Theoretical aspects of water problem research by Western scientists

Abstract

 In the article, the authors consider the evolution of the concept of “preventive
diplomacy”. The history of the origin of the term, as well as its conceptual foundations and
significance in solving water factor issues in regional and international relations. In the
course of the study, the authors concluded that the term water diplomacy refers to bilateral or
multilateral negotiations concerning water issues, and the peaceful settlement of differences
between riparian countries. Naturally, the globalization processes taking place all over the world
have contributed and complicated solutions to water-related problems, thereby influencing
the expansion of the concept of water diplomacy. This is because new players have appeared
in this process, such as third countries and international organizations. Water diplomacy is
characterized by processes where all interested participants, state, regional and international,
cooperate to solve water problems. However, there is no general definition of water diplomacy,
and the actual actions of water diplomacy, as a rule, differ in several directions and scales. Based
on the review of academic and political documents by B. Boutros-Ghali, Johan Galtung, and T.
Naff, the variety of understandings and common models in the definition of water diplomacy
is analyzed.