DISTRIBUTION
Water, by wide agreement, is a human right. Yet, in many countries the right to access water is treated as a privilege​, not as a right. So arises the problem of distribution. In much of Africa, underfunded governments have relied on private corporations to provide water, but this invariably leads to services rendered only to the wealthy.
​
A lack of water is, moreover, a cause of conflict in South Sudan. As small herding communities search for scarce water, they often come in conflict with farming communities, leading to an exacerbation of tensions. The effective development of a water system could prevent these low-grade conflicts.
"Effective infrastructure is a prerequisite for... human rights"
Several of the large ethnic groups in South Sudan place an immense cultural importance on cattle. The Nuer in particular are almost as a rule pastoralists, often following the availability of water. As water supplies dwindle and water infrastructure degrades, these communities are forced to rely on the same water sources, which instigates conflict.
Specifically, growing populations often place undue stress on an environment, increasing pressure on pastoralists. South Sudan, whose average age is less than 20, continues to grow rapidly. Since restricting population growth is neither feasible nor reasonable, the only solution left is to improve the availability of resources. This dilemma faces many developing nations as they contend with growing populations and overloaded infrastructure.
The Central Role of Livestock
The Common-Pool Model
The common-pool model provides an apt way to analyze the restrictions on water provision. Common-pool goods are defined by two primary characteristics:
​
-
Non-excludability
-
Rivalry
​
What this means is that although it is impossible to prevent access to these goods, they are finite in quantity. It is possible for one individual to use all the water available in a geographic area, but it is impossible to prevent that person from using water at all.
​
Regulating common-pool resources, while difficult, is not impossible. Effective regulation involves the creation of a set of social norms the violation of which results in ostracism or social pressure. Traditional legal structures are not effective at ensuring the sustainability of common-pool resources.
