Suchergebnisse

This paper explores the discourse coalitions that became evident during the conflict around the HydroAysen hydroelectric megaproject in the Patagonia region of Chile. We explore three nodal concepts around which the coalitions were constructed and the argumentative and rhetoric strategies used. The analysis, inspired by a socio constructivist approach and based on Hajer's argumentative method (2005), studies 40 discourse allocutions from relevant leaders and social actors publically available through national press releases and web pages between 2011 and 2012. Findings reveal the presence of two discourse coalitions holding competing views. The first coalition includes the President of the Republic of Chile and the Ministry of Energy, together with the proposing hydroelectric company. This coalition displays a neoliberal socioeconomic-oriented argumentation based on the proposition that the Chilean energy crisis can be resolved through hydroelectricity, a natural resource abundant in the Patagonia, which would bring more development and connectivity to the Aysen region. The second coalition, made up of social and environmental groups 'Patagonia Without Dams' and 'Aysenines against HidroAysen' exhibits a more socio-environmental oriented argumentation. Their narrative revolves around the absence of a national energy policy which makes the country economically vulnerable to the establishment of mega projects such as the HydroAysen project that may benefit only a few enterprises but ruin unique environments such as that in Patagonia. We conclude that these antagonistic coalitions run along assymetric processes of discursive institutionalization. Furthermore, the HydroAysen case analysis contributes to explain the way discourse coalitions contribute to the failure of Chilean democracy to build social consensus on contentious issues.

Es posible que una epistemología compleja pueda ser el enfoque que permita superar las insuficiencias del conocimiento jurídico. Se aboga por un pensamiento jurídico reflexivo, multidimensional, interactivo, multidisciplinar y no linear. Al respecto, se evidencian ciertos avances. La hermenéutica ha reformulado el concepto de derecho, al aceptar que los principios políticos forman parte de los sistemas jurídicos y que los mismos se realizan con un método creativo-constructivo. Por su parte un paradigma sociocrítico reclama asumir de manera explícita la ideología, unidad dialéctica entre lo teórico y lo práctico, y una racionalidad que incluya juicios, valores e intereses de las comunidades. Para tal efecto, la ciencia jurídica debe poder relacionarse de manera flexible con distintos marcos conceptuales y aprehender las condiciones históricas que confluyen en el momento de indagar lo que el derecho 'es'. Por último, se resalta que la asunción de esta epistemología compleja depende profundamente de la formación que reciben los juristas. ; It is possible that a complex epistemology may be the approach to overcome the inadequacies of legal knowledge. Reflective, multidimensional, interactive, multidisciplinary and non-linear legal thinking is advocated. Taking this into regards, progress is evident. Hermeneutics has reformulated the concept of law, accepting that political principles are part of legal systems and that they are done with a creative-constructive method. On the other hand, a sociocritical paradigm claims to assume explicitly the ideology, dialectical unity between the theoretical and the practical, and a rationality which includes judgments, values and interests of all communities. Because of this purpose, legal science must be flexibly related to different conceptual frameworks and to grasp the historical conditions that come together when it comes to investigating what law 'is'. Finally, it is emphasized that the assumption of this complex epistemology depends profoundly on the training received by lawyers.