Megaprojects as sites for resistance: the electoral effects of Mapuche attacks on highways

Autor(en)
Felipe Livert, Xabier Gainza, Pablo Herrera-Rivera
Abstrakt

Megaprojects are electoral magnets due to their transformative power, but they also raise strong opposition. Using a Regression Discontinuity Design, this paper assesses the impact on presidential elections of Mapuche attacks and protests at two strategic road infrastructures. Mapuche uses a repertoire of non-conventional actions in their struggle with the Chilean state seeking self-determination. Estimations reveal that attacks reduce the likelihood of victory for the governing coalition at nearby polling stations, while protests have no effect. We interpret these results as a contest in the symbolic sphere to oppose the narratives of modernity and unity that highways embody.

Organisation(en)
Institut für Geographie und Regionalforschung
Journal
Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
ISSN
1752-1378
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsaf004
Publikationsdatum
03-2025
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
507016 Regionalökonomie, 507011 Raumforschung, 502027 Politische Ökonomie
Link zum Portal
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/dcb0e347-b691-4afa-80eb-4ca4a3b5feaf