The health impacts of globalisation: a conceptual framework

Huynen, Maud MTE; Martens, Pim; Hilderink, Henk BM

The effects of globalisation are also raising concerns over water security. The current globalisation process is accompanied by privatisation policies affecting the provision of water [65] (Figure 3 ; arrow 5). Governments and international financial institutions promote privatisation, as they believe it will promote market competition and efficiency. However, others are less optimistic about the effects of privatisation. In fact, some cases show that prices and inequalities in access even rise [66] . It is also argued that water, with vital importance socially, culturally, and ecologically, 'cannot be protected by purely market forces' [65] . On a global scale, there are increasing efforts to set up global guidelines or policies with regard to fresh water ( Figure 3 ; arrow 5), however none of the international declarations and conference statements requires states to actual meet individual's water requirements [67] .