ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a critical analysis of the limits to environmental peacebuilding through studying a specific case in the Middle East and North Africa region – the Jordan basin. It discusses theoretical underpinnings and perspectives drawing on international relations theory and peacebuilding theory. In post-conflict societies, access to water, and functioning and well-managed ecosystems providing livelihood opportunities through for example farming, represent important tenets of peacebuilding. These aspects are all important when considering the key peacebuilding objectives: establishing security; restoring basic services; revitalizing the economy and enhancing livelihoods; and rebuilding governance and inclusive political processes. The chapter argues that deeper theoretical and empirical understanding of the politics connects water management with peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. A research agenda that includes perspectives inspired by realist and power politics as well as social constructivism would help further inform the peacebuilding approach and agenda.
