Abstract

PRESSACCO, Carlos Fabián; VALENZUELA, Esteban  and  SOTO, Gonzalo. Regional Identity and Alternative Development Model: Aysén's Green Patagonia. Pap.polit. [online]. 2017, vol.22, n.1, pp.159-182. ISSN 0122-4409.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.papo22-1.irym.

Chile experiences, from several decades ago, a decentralizing process that has strengthened its regions’ autonomy. However, this is a gradual process that has not substantially modified the centralist character of its state model. While this process has a general framework decided at the central state, it develops specifically according to the particularities of each territory. In this sense, the article explores the process of regional strengthening of the Aysen region in Chile, with three main aims: a) to inquire into the process of identity construction associated to the idea of Patagonia; b) to link such identity process with the definition of a model of sustainable development; and c) to analyze the politicization process and the configuration of a social-business coalition that opposed hydroelectric mega-dams and was supported by international networks. Regarding the research results, we observe that the Aysén region experiences a politization process on the basis of constituting a socio-territorial identity that is distinguished by two key aspects: the appropriation of the “patagonic” as a synonym of the “untouched” and the attempt to set the bases of an alternative development model. One of the main conclusions is the Aysén region is the most permeable to the pursuit of cooperation in the Chilean and Argentinian regions that configure this territory, with a growing ecotouristic identity on a global scale.

Keywords : Patagonia; alternative development; Aysén; regional identity.

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