Week 3 – Discussion

Water Privatization [WLO: 1] [CLOs: 3, 4, 6]

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please read Chapter 5: Water, in Turk and Bensel’s Contemporary Environmental Issues textbook (2014). In this week’s class discussion, you will participate in a debate over the issue of water privatization. This issue regards whether or not private corporations should be allowed to own and control fresh drinking water supplies. Should safe drinking water be considered a basic human right (owned by everyone), or a commodity (to be managed by corporations)? There are a number of pro and con arguments on both sides. For an overview of this issue, please watch Liquid Assets: The Big Business of Water (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., starting with Segment 13, “Chile’s Commercialized View of Water,” and watch the remaining 15 minutes on this topic. For full access to this video please use Films on Demand through the Ashford Library.

For our debate, there will need to be two sides: pro (supporting water privatization) and con (opposed to water privatization). Your side is determined by the following:

you will be arguing the pro side.

In a well-crafted discussion post of at least 200 words, first clearly identify your assigned side in the debate. Then provide at least three clearly worded, concise arguments for your side of the debate. Providing specific examples to support your arguments will aid in making them stronger. You should cite and reference at least two credible or scholarly sources in your post, using correct APA format.

At the end of your post, cast your vote for your decision as to whether or not water should be privatized.

Cast Your Vote:

Using what you have learned from the water privatization debate, take the following steps to cast a vote on your stance on the topic of water privatization.

Submit your vote as “Pro” or “Con” in a post selecting the option that best represents your stance on water privatization.
- Pro (supporting water privatization) and
- Con (opposed to water privatization).