Production and reproduction of inequality and structural social injustice: an inquiry from the field of essential public services

Abstract

The author analyzes critically the problems arising in Latin America after the processes of commodification and privatization of water and drainage. He refers to historical experiences of private use of water that ended in a big failure, and resulted also in critical hygiene and health conditions to the population, as happened in England during the eighteenth century. He proposes, instead, to study the pressures for water privatization in view of the risk of worsening inequalities and diminishing social rights still recognized in our Constitutions.