Water as a Source of Cooperation or Conflict? - A Case Study of The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Abstract: In this study the probable outcome of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is investigated. At the same time an attempt is made to derive general factors that can determine whether a common source of water leads to conflict or cooperation between states. This is done by contrasting two different theories regarding conflict and cooperation over water in a heuristic case study. The result shows that the theories in question were applicable, but have some flaws. My thesis therefore makes an effort to develop these authors’ works, leading to an recognition of a coexistence between conflict and cooperation. In addition, the result shows that, at present, the probable outcome of the dam project points in the direction of cooperation. This is supported by water’s intrinsic ability to be shared between one another, which can be seen as a deciding factor for cooperation instead of conflict.