An Environmental Anthropology: The Effects of the Yacyretá Dam on Communities in Misiones, Argentina in Comparison to the Economic and Environmental Well-being of the Pilcomayo River Basin
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Date
2012-06
Authors
Brogan, Megan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Do large dam projects create a “sustainable improvement of human welfare” for those
directly affected by a dam or not (WCD 2000, 2)? This question is central to a major debate in
international development. This thesis argues that although there may be benefits of leaving a
river to run its natural course, the economic gains associated with the implementation of a large
hydropower dam bring greater socioeconomic benefits to the community in question. Despite
environmental changes and economic obstacles associated with the Yacyretá Dam, over time, the
people that depend on the Paraná River have experienced a significant “sustainable improvement
of human welfare” compared to the residents along the Pilcomayo River (WCD 2000, 2). The
benefits of allowing a river to run freely are the forgone opportunity costs that would be
associated with the construction of a dam, such as dam-related downstream and upstream
flooding. However, economic benefits such as job growth and access to electricity have the
potential to outweigh these environmental costs.
Description
Submitted to the Undergraduate Library Research Award scholarship competition: 2012-2013. 83 pages.