Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. In this authoritative Advanced Introduction, Ken Conca expertly examines the fundamentals of water politics, covering poverty, health and livelihoods alongside key areas such as water law, the environment, international politics and the growing role of climate change in water governance. Key features include: * analysis of water politics and policy grounded in law, politics, economics, and environmental management* a detailed overview of not only research and scholarship in the field but also the perspectives and activities of the community of practice* examination of the major areas of contention in current water policy, including pricing and privatization, large dams and contentious infrastructure, water and climate adaptation, cooperation and conflict in international river basins, and the food-water-energy nexus. This book provides essential reading for scholars and students of political science, public policy, environment studies, human geography and related social sciences, in addition to decision makers and policy makers in the water and environmental policy fields.