Title: Exploring the nexus of freshwater resources and international conflict: bibliometric insights and a research agenda for the future

Authors: Kajol Gupta

Addresses: Department of Political Science, University of Burdwan, Bardhaman, West Bengal, 713104, India

Abstract: Accessing and controlling freshwater resources holds immense significance in ensuring human survival, preserving ecosystems, and fostering economic growth. The confluence of water scarcity and heightened demand has precipitated disputes that have further exacerbated global conflicts. Despite the growing research efforts in this area, a comprehensive literature review on freshwater resource and international conflict is lacking. This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to examine the interplay between scientific research on freshwater resources and international conflicts. A two-tier approach is adopted, analysing 779 papers from the Scopus database. In the first tier, advanced bibliometric techniques are utilised to track the evolution and current state of the literature, identifying specific research clusters. The second tier involves a detailed content analysis of these clusters, providing insights for future research directions. The findings present valuable insights for researchers seeking to understand the complex relationship between water resources and global conflicts.

Keywords: freshwater resources; international conflict; river water; bibliometric review; Vos viewer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2023.136043

International Journal of Water, 2023 Vol.15 No.4, pp.335 - 361

Received: 26 Jun 2023
Accepted: 11 Dec 2023
Published online: 12 Jan 2024 *

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