The Political Ecology of Hydropolitics along the Mekong River Basin: Evaluating the Geopolitical Fallout of Upstream Mega-Dam Construction

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 10, No. 2, February 2019 | pp. 10–18

DOI: 10.46882/2019/GJPCS/100201

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: The Political Ecology of Hydropolitics along the Mekong River Basin: Evaluating the Geopolitical Fallout of Upstream Mega-Dam Construction

Authors: Siddharth K. Nair¹, Ranil S. Jayawardene²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Global Studies, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; ²Department of Political Science, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract:
The rapid construction of large-scale hydroelectric infrastructure along the upper reaches of the Mekong River has introduced profound ecological disruptions and altered transboundary geopolitical relations in Southeast Asia. This study examines how unilateral water management policies affect downstream food security and localized community stability in Cambodia and Vietnam. Utilizing hydropolitical game theory models integrated with remote-sensing environmental data, we evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of altered river flow patterns. The empirical data reveals that uncoordinated upstream dam operations have reduced downstream sediment deposition by 45%, leading to severe soil degradation and lower agricultural yields in critical delta farming areas. Our statistical simulations establish that the resulting reduction in wild fish catches correlates directly with a 32% rise in household economic insecurity and localized resource disputes among fishing communities. The paper demonstrates that the existing Mekong River Commission lacks the legal mechanisms to enforce transboundary water compliance. We argue that preventing interstate hydropolitical conflict requires establishing a binding multilateral governance framework that treats river basin preservation as a shared regional asset.

Keywords: Mekong River Basin; Hydropolitics; Mega-Dam Construction; Transboundary Water; Food Security; Political Ecology

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 05, 2018; Revised: October 12, 2018; Accepted: November 18, 2018; Published: February 14, 2019

Citation: Nair, S. K., & Jayawardene, R. S. (2019). The Political Ecology of Hydropolitics along the Mekong River Basin: Evaluating the Geopolitical Fallout of Upstream Mega-Dam Construction. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 10(2), 10–18. DOI: 10.46882/2019/GJPCS/100201

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