Social contracts in hunting: Path dependency in a Swedish context

In modern societies, social contracts have helped structure the relationship between the state and its citizens, defining the rights and duties of each. Hunting and the management of wildlife is no exception to this political... [ view full abstract ]

In modern societies, social contracts have helped structure the relationship between the state and its citizens, defining the rights and duties of each. Hunting and the management of wildlife is no exception to this political order, where the hunters and, in some countries, land owners have consented to surrender some of their freedom in order for the state to set up rules and regulations to manage collective problems, e.g. roaming wildlife. In Sweden, a social contract between hunters and the state was set up in the 1930s with the aim of achieving a more sustainable wildlife management. However, the contract which has been exceptionally successful in terms of increasing number of wildlife populations is increasingly challenged by societal changes such as individualization, urbanization, but also changing attitudes to nature, impacting not only upon the role of hunting, the recruitment and retention of hunters, but also on the role of the hunting community as a legitimate partner to the state. The aim of this paper is, based on an institutional analysis, to examine the development of the social contract between the hunters and the state, with the purpose to analyze the abilities among the involved actors to cope with and adjust to social and environmental changes. Tentative results show that the contract has been re-negotiated on a regular basis over time. Current challenges, however, seems far more difficult to handle compared to previous challenges, which calls for deepened negotiations.