Post-water political-economics

Nations persist and thrive when economic and social institutions complement each other; they weaken and die when these institutions conflict. The same is true for sustainable water management, which is becoming more difficult as rising demand, falling supply and intensifying climate change increase water scarcity, i.e., making it more costly to reliably supply adequate safe water. This article uses a ``post-water political-economy'' (PWPE) perspective to explain how rising water scarcity increases economic and social costs and how economic and social interventions can minimize those costs. These interventions must balance economic and social institutions, maintain the gains from trade that feed billions, and consider both risk and uncertainty. Applications of a PWPE-perspective to scenarios on urban drinking water, food security, and ecosystem services illustrate how various nations might cope --- or fail --- under pressure from increasing water scarcity.