Why the Legislation does not Protect Native Forests in Argentina? Environmental Conflicts and Public Policies

Abstract

Using a political ecology framework, we analyze the environmental conflicts arising from the discussion of a law aiming at protecting native forests in the Province of Cordoba, Argentina (Law 9814/2010). The main social actors involved in the discussion are characterized, as well as the alliances and conflicts that emerged among them along the legislative discussion of the law. Two major stakeholders emerged during the conflict, which fostered a series of political actions aiming at influencing provincial legislators. The conflict showed what was at stake during the conflict: the discussion, at the local/provincial level, of the dominant rural-development model prevailing at national/global level. The research suggests that the approved law expresses the power alliances historically developed by the most powerful social actors. This group uses the institutional framework provided by the State in order to seek their own advantage and disregarding environmental and/or social costs. This situation undermines and weakens the demands and rights of the most disadvantaged social groups, ignores the processes of civil participation, and affects the provision of ecosystem services of central Argentina’s native forests