Towards a New Hydrosocial Contract in Turkey: Analysing Evolution of Environmental Activism in Water Resources Developmen

Environmental activism is on the rise in Turkey with the growing involvement of civil society networks acting at local, national and international levels. In this respect, anti-dam activist networks focusing on adverse environmental effects of large and small scale dams constitute one of the most important components of environmental movements in Turkey. Yet, there have been limited scholarly works analysing different aspects of anti-dam activism in Turkey in the light of theoretical frameworks developed in literature. Informed by deep investigation of empirical case studies across Turkey, this paper analyses how environmental activism in water resources development has increased recently. Drawing upon "The Concept of Hydrosocial Contract" accompanied by the conceptual frameworks regarding water resources management paradigms, the paper argues that there has been an ongoing evolution from Hobbessian forms of hydrosocial contract to Lockean form of hydrosocial contract between state and society relations. This transition has enabled environmental discourse on water resources development more salient and it has provided a conducive environment for civil society to influence in decision making processes. Finally, the paper will discuss whether this transition in state-society relations may lead to creation of more democratic platforms in which different interest groups are involved in decision-making processes.