Komparasi comparison of water resources management between capitalism and Islam

Abstract

The global water crisis is driven by increasing demand, environmental degradation, and market-driven mechanisms that encourage the privatization of water resources. In the capitalist system, water is treated as an economic commodity subject to private ownership and free market dynamics. In contrast, the Islamic system regards water as public property that must be managed by the state for the benefit of the community. This study aims to examine and compare the concepts of water resource management from the perspectives of capitalism and Islamic economics. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach based on literature review, analyzing classical and contemporary theories along with secondary data. The findings indicate that capitalism tends to create unequal access to water due to privatization and market liberalization, whereas Islam offers a fairer and more sustainable paradigm rooted in public ownership, equitable distribution, and state responsibility. In conclusion, the Islamic system provides a superior framework for ensuring the right to water while preserving social and ecological balance.

Keywords: water management, capitalism, Islam, public ownership, distribution justice