Abstract
The governance of natural resources is intrinsically linked with the governance of people. However, in practice, social aspects are often viewed as secondary to more technical and pressing issues in the implementation of projects such as dams. The use of water for electricity production in Brazil is a cas d'excellence that exemplifies how the bypassing of socio-environmental safeguards and democratic participation of affected people leads to conflicts. These conflicts delay infrastructure works, such as the Belo Monte Dam, that are found to be crucial for the equilibrium of electricity supply. Recently, social manifestation have become the scapegoat for the sector's crisis. This article discussed the "electricity crisis" from a historical policy analysis perspective. It concludes that the present disregard for social and environmental procedures is a self-inflicted disease that only contributes to the longer-term state of conflicts in the expansion of the electricity sector in Brazil.
Keywords
Electricity sector; dams; crisis; democratic governance of water
Left hand side: Warning about possible energy deficits that would affect economic growth. Experts accuse the government of relying on "rainfall" to ensure electricity supply (Source: Jornal do Brasil, 26 Sept. 2000); Right hand side from top to bottom: Magazine cover declaring "Prepare yourself: it is going to shut down: the economy will grow less, there will be layoffs, exports will be cancelled and inflation will grow" (Source: Isto é Magazine of May 16th 2001); Veja Magazine covers: "What else needs to happen?" Calling readers' attention to the new mandatory measures imposed on users to save energy and "Without light - get ready: rationing will turn your life into hell, slow down the economy, and it can destroy the governments' image" (Source: Veja Magazine, May 2001)
