Tourism versus oil prospecting: the case of the Balearic Islands

Abstract

In the year 2014, there is intention of oil prospecting on the coast of the Balearic Islands (Spain). Once the possibility of developing this type of work in this area comes to light, defenders (national government) and detractors (local community) begin intense for (energy efficiency) and against (environmental threats) arguments on the consequences of carrying out this kind of task. But how have we reached this point? This study is based on the argumentation of legitimacy that companies engaged in the extraction of oil reach to national government. In this study, the discourse of different interest groups related to oil prospecting (local community, companies, government, associations, etc) is analyzed through the media (online). A qualitative research in which data is collected from secondary sources is also developed. The company Cairn Energy attains its activities with support from the central government as and against the local community. The organization uses strategies of legitimacy.