The thesis attempts to develop an understanding of the reproduction of power in the context of the water sector, in relation to public sector water provision, water privatization, and community-based alternatives to both. In pursuit of that it develops a “socio-political ecology” which combines the methodology of political ecology with the theoretical framework of historical-geographical materialism and the concept of social capital. it examines the hydrosocial cycle as a socionatural process which involves the continuous (re)construction of the socionatural water cycle through the (re)construction of “water” demand, supply and scarcity, as well as the socionatural construction of the state. The water sector in Venezuela serves as an illustrative example for how first, different forms of capital interact to reproduce a mode of power; second, that reproduction tends to produce a concentration of power; and third, how internal contradictions and external pressures can lead to changes in the mode of power. In particular, points of crisis produce new recognitions of radical contingency - the potential for the mode of power to be fundamentally altered - and thereby politicization and new forms of activism.

This thesis is based upon the phenomenon known as urban community gardening, and examines it with regards to conflicts within an intended environment. The theoretical section is based on a school of thought that holds nature as something that exists in both science and humanities, and which can be observed within the social world. As opposed to nature and society being divided, this part will address the term 'socionature', which comprises a current post-anthropocentric stream of humanities and social sciences. Essentially it stays on the theory of conflicts. The research posits answers to the question of how gardeners justify and reasonably support their activities at an urban community garden called "Smetanka garden" in Vinohrady, Prague. Two of the outcomes were: the cultivation of strong neighbourly relations; and encouragement of recreational family outings. The Smetanka garden was closed in 2017. The thesis sees the conflict that occurred around the closure as a socionatural conflict. One question is, what were the arguments for closing the garden? The main argument stated that the land should be used for construction of sports facilities to serve the schools nearby. Furthermore, the community garden was only meant to be temporarily from the beginning. Proponents maintained that the garden...