Playing Catch-Up

The establishment of Iguazu National Park in Brazil in 1939 was driven by local political activism, which leveraged the creation of a neighboring park in Argentina. This study reveals that territorial development is not solely a top-down process but involves significant collaboration between local actors and national authorities. The research examines how state governors and local politicians pushed for the park's establishment as part of Brazil's 'March to the West' campaign during the 1940s, highlighting the role of intermediary agents in shaping national policies. By analyzing historical records and political dialogues, the study underscores the dynamic interplay between local advocacy and federal decision-making in the formation of protected areas.

(Ed.). (2021). Playing Catch-Up. Nationalizing Nature, 59–96. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108953733.003