Democratization and power-sharing for alternative social orders: Lessons from economic liberalization and water conflict in India

This thesis seeks to understand the essentials for a hegemonic social order to emerge by using Gramscian theoretical framework. Examining the process of the economic liberalization in India in the 1990s, this thesis argues that the current neoliberal order cannot be hegemonic in nature, since it has failed to assure democracy and local autonomy which is essential to raise active consent from civil society. To explore the possibility of counter-hegemony, this thesis conducts a case study about the water conflict in India occurred between a neoliberal power (Coca-Cola) and the local community (Plachimada). Assuming that development of the sustainable resource management will lead to the establishment of an alternative social order to Coca-Cola's order, this thesis explores the solutions in a natural resource management theory, 'co-management'. Finally, this thesis argues the essential values and possible policies needed to create an alternative hegemonic social order using lessons from the case study.