Power relations in the decision-making processes of forest owners in Northern Finland

Abstract

In this article we examine the power relations of forest management in connection with private forest owners’ decision-making processes in Finland. Questions of power are considered through an examination of management decisions regarding even-aged and uneven-aged silvicultural systems. The application of different silvicultural methods has been a historically contested theme in Finnish forestry which has led to litigation cases between forest owners and the private forest administration since the beginning of the 20th century. The study material is derived from in-depth interviews with private forest owners carried out in 2005–2007 and from the documents of three court cases that took place between 2004–2008. The analysis utilises a political ecology framework and particular attention is paid to the interplay and construction of knowledge and power. The results reveal some major differences in how forest owners think about and conceptualise silvicultural systems and practices, and also shed light on the power relations involved in decision-making. The differences become apparent during the court cases, which also contest power relations. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to the varying needs of forest owners in Finnish forest policies.