دانشگاه پیام نور فصلنامه علمی آموزش محیط زیست و توسعه پایدار 2322-3057 9 4 2021 08 23 Social analysis of water resources instability: Applying theory of treadmill of production (The case of Mazandaran province) Social analysis of water resources instability: Applying theory of treadmill of production (The case of Mazandaran province) 85 98 8033 10.30473/ee.2021.55718.2276 FA Mohaddethe Taherpourmansour PhD Student in Sociology, University of Mazandaran Sadegh Salehi Department of Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran Journal Article 2020 10 20 Economic activities in Mazandaran province have long been focused on agricultural and livestock products. Farmers have always used water resources for their activities, but after the collapse of traditional system, attracting capital and changing the direction of investment, a new type of production has been formed alongside this traditional method, which is based on production for profit. The purpose of this study is to investigate and explain the role of investment growth on agriculture in creating unstainability in water resources of Mazandaran province. The present study, applying Schneiberg’s production treadmill theory, seeks to answer this fundamental question: What effect has the growth of investment on agriculture had on the unsustianability of Mazandaran's water resources? In this research, quantitative method and strategy of secondary data analysis and comparative study have been used. The results of the present study showed that investment in the main inputs of agricultural production and conversion industries and agricultural services has increased and at the same time, the consumption of aquifers in the province has increased from 791 million cubic meters in 1389 to 1377 million cubic meters in 1398. . In addition, the research results show an increase in pollution of water resources in Mazandaran. In general, the results of the present study indicate that the growth of investment affects unsustainability of water resources and therefore, Schneiberg's production treadmill theory is confirmed. Economic activities in Mazandaran province have been focused on agricultural and ranch products for a long time. Farmers have always exploited water resources for their activities, but after the collapse of the traditional system, capital absorption, and changing the direction of investment, aiming a new type of production has been formed alongside this traditional method, which is based on gaining profit. The purpose of this research is to investigate and explain the role of investment growth in agriculture leading to instability in water resources in Mazandaran province. Using Schneiberg’s Treadmill of production theory, this study aims to respond to this basic question: “Why has the growth of investment in agriculture caused the instability of water resources in Mazandaran province?” In this research, a quantitative method and secondary data analysis strategy, as well as a comparative research method have been employed. The results of the study showed that investment in the main inputs of agricultural production and agricultural processing and services industries have been increased, and simultaneously, the amount of aquifers consumption in this province has increased from 791 million cubic meters in 2010 to 1377 million cubic meters in 2019. In addition, the results of the study indicate the growth in polluting water resources in Mazandaran. Overall, the results of the present study reveal that growth of investment affects the instability of water resources and therefore, Schneiberg's Production Cycle Theory is confirmed. https://ee.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_8033_80ee58d7d291965f4c73356f5c371cda.pdf