Hydroelectric dams in the Comahue Region: The Expectations of One-Sided Development

Abstract

Since the incorporation of the Patagonian territory to the National State, in the late nineteenth century, it was argued that Patagonia’s resources should be employed for national development. Since the 1930s, the tapping the energy of its rivers emerged as a permanent reference in the strategies for the industrialization of the country. Because of this, the notion of development in northern Patagonia is closely linked to the history of the construction of dams in the region, a theme that was much debated during the 1960’s. This article looks at the representations of the development of the North Patagonian region contrasting the images of the territory in the official planning documents with the debates on the subject published in the Newspaper Río Negro. This newspaper was selected as a source because it is one of the most influential voices in northern Patagonia. Furthermore, during 1960s, Río Negro developed a discursive strategy to promote Patagonian economic interests.