Review of The Fluvial Imagination

Abstract

Hoag's book emphasizes the failures of governance systems to protect long-term ecological stability, as well as the pro-growth resource management strategies and social control methods aimed at promoting economic growth. As a study of environmental issues and an analysis of political-economic systems of governance, Hoag’s call for a more critical ecological science that incorporates considerations of political economy and history will appeal to students and scholars for its interdisciplinary insights. Anthropologists interested in environmental issues, economic systems, and governance should value it as a compelling critique of so-called development projects. Overall, Hoag’s work encourages readers to carefully reflect on the consequences of water commodification for both communities and ecosystems. Offering a critical lens for examining the interplay among livestock practices, ecological governance, and ecosystems, The Fluvial Imagination highlights the socio-economic dynamics that shape the lives of herders. By introducing concepts like the “ovicaprine mystique” and the “fluvial imagination,” Hoag encourages readers to rethink the implications of resource extraction and management strategies.