Megaprojects as sites for resistance: the electoral effects of Mapuche attacks on highways
- Author(s)
- Felipe Livert, Xabier Gainza, Pablo Herrera-Rivera
- Abstract
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(s)
- Department of Geography and Regional Research
- External organisation(s)
- University of the Basque Country, Universidad Diego Portales
- Journal
- Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
- Volume
- 18
- Pages
- 371-383
- No. of pages
- 13
- ISSN
- 1752-1378
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsaf004
- Publication date
- 03-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 507016 Regional economy, 507011 Spatial research, 502027 Political economy
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development, Economics and Econometrics, Sociology and Political Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/dcb0e347-b691-4afa-80eb-4ca4a3b5feaf