The Socio-Political History of China’s Three Gorges Dam

Abstract

Around the world, the construction of large-scale dams has become a controversial environmental issue. A significant example of such a dam is the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China. The Yangtze River, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization, has fundamentally shaped Chinese livelihood, culture, transportation, and agriculture. Despite international and local dissent, as of 2012, the Three Gorges Dam has become a reality. Having fundamentally altered the river system, the biodiversity of the area is now threatened by flooded habitats upstream, drought downstream and a change in nutrient distribution. However, to better understand the reasoning behind the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, a deeper historical, cultural and political basis needs to be recognized. This paper will investigate how the specific history of China has led to the construction of the Dam. Throughout the 20th century, political leaders envisioned the Dam as a symbol of Chinese industrialization and modernization. Ironically, it was considered the ultimate achievement in China’s development. Communist views of mastery over nature played an important role in such political views. These views are not limited to China; the idea that humans should control nature for economic benefit is still evident throughout the world. Beyond the context of China, the Three Gorges Dam is a symbol of the larger systems that value economic benefit and industrialization over a sustainable environment.

A Policy Review on Sustainability and the Three Gorges Dam in China

“…After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, dam construction became an important development direction as a policy to promote rapid economic growth and industrialisation. This view is not limited to China; the idea of people controlling nature for economic benefits is still evident all over the world (Beckett, 2016).…”

“…Moreover, a large number of population transfers may affect local ethnic groups, increasing employment pressure and unemployment. The difficulties brought by migration for these people include more severe poverty and marginalisation (Beckett, 2016). Given that these populations are mainly rural, this means that they mostly live off their land, and leaving the land means displacement and declining economic conditions (see Table 2).…”