Abstract
How would the sociology of environmental flow renew issues about commodification of nature? This article tackles this question by revisiting the history of the hydroelectric apparatus (Électricité de France and Société du Canal de Provence) in South Eastern France from the 1950s to the 2000s. It shows that there is not such a process of "accumulation by dispossession" than technico-political negotiations about the delineation of new flows of water, electricity and money. Different economicisation processes enable the hydroelectric apparatus to govern by the distribution of hydroelectric output (water, energy, money), including national and local state, para-governmental companies and local society. It contributes to the fabric of various hydro-political spaces. The study shows also that the commodification process does not oust existing authorities and institutions. It drives to legal and normative pluralism. Flows of water, electricity and money remain disputed between authorities and social groups through depoliticisation strategies (in technical arenas) and repoliticisation strategies (in political and juridical arenas).