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Book chapter2016Peer reviewed

Seized and missed opportunities in responding to conflicts : constructivity and destructivity in forest conflicts management in Finland and British Columbia, Canada

Raitio, Kaisa

Abstract

This chapter compares two high profile forest conflicts to show the importance and constructive role conflicts can play as drivers of social change by improving the access of previously disadvantaged groups to decision-making processes. The analysis builds on literature on policy regimes, collaborative planning theory and conflict analysis in comparing the conflict dynamics and the conflict management responses adopted by the government forest agencies in Finland and British Columbia. The analysis shows that the extent to which conflicts contribute constructively to change depends not only on the intention of those who challenge the system, but centrally on the responses of those with power to manage the resources and the planning processes.

Keywords

Conflict, destructive, constructive, forestry, indigenous people

Published in

Title: Environmental communication and community : constructive and destructive dynamics of social transformation
ISBN: 978-1-138-91386-8, eISBN: 978-1-315-69117-6
Publisher: Routledge