Reservoirs of power: The political legacy of dam construction in Franco’s Spain

Abstract

This paper delves into infrastructure projects initiated during the dictatorship in Spain, particularly the construction of reservoirs and dams. These projects were instrumental in bolstering support for right-wing factions advocating for Franco’s regime over the years. However, our research reveals a notable trend: areas where dams were erected by the regime demonstrate diminished political backing for right-wing parties in the post-dictatorship era. We present evidence suggesting that this phenomenon is driven by the use of forced labor in dam construction by the regime, as inferred from the proximity to concentration camps. To address endogeneity concerns, we instrument dam construction with river gradient suitability.