Natur, Wirtschaft und Nationalismus

Forstingenieure und Waldschutz während der Franco-Diktatur 1939–1960

Abstract

In Spain, forest science had been established in close relation with the formation of the forest administration in the Liberal State. The relations between science and forest policy were prolonged during the 20th century. Doubtless, the forest engineers inherited an academic tradition and a state mediation during Francoism. The dictatorship marked a point of no return when afforestation was converted in one of the priorities of its economic policy and was settled down in a coercive and centralised frame. This article aims at analysing the positions of the forest engineers in relation to nature and economy through the scientific magazine Montes during the dictatorship. In the first phase of the dictatorship the desire to industrialise the forest and to increase its production was associated with the economic policy of autarky. The ideas of conservation and exploitation appeared without any contradiction. In 1959, the Stabilization and Liberalization Plan signalled a turnaround in the economic policy of the dictatorship. ‘Developmentalism’ appeared on the scene and economic variables began to recover, showing growth after the hard years of autarky. Montes published not only arguments supporting the afforestation, but also emphasised the plural functions of the forest in both economic and ecological senses. However, the alternative scientific ideas were subordinated to the interests of politics and industry.