Abstract

RAUSCH, Gisela Ariana. State, Development and Nature: the case of Paraná Medio project under the national hydraulic paradigm (Argentina, 1958-1986). Estudios Socioterritoriales [online]. 2016, vol.20. ISSN 1853-4392.

Large hydraulic enterprises are special cases in the universe of state infrastructure projects; they were specially boosted during the developmental model stage, becoming symbols of national greatness and economic progress. Nevertheless, in the late 20thcentury, they began to be severely questioned, even by those international organisms which had funded them during the preceding decades. From a historical and geographical approach, this paper inquires the devising process of Paraná Medio hydroelectric project. The research is based on documentary sources, and on the analysis of discursive constructions around the enterprise, in the public policies context linked to the hydroelectric projects in Argentina. It is intend to account for the ideological arena and the historical conditions that led to the emergence of hydraulic projects in the country.

Keywords : Hydraulic projects; Public policies; Development.