Virheen politiikka

Susiasioiden hallinta Varsinais-Suomessa

Abstract

The implementation of policy triggers often surprises and unintended consequences. These result from the
unexpected adaptive actions and behaviors of the agents or ignored uncertainty regarding the socioecological
system in question. This applies also to Finnish wolf policy in the attempt to enforce the European
conservation goals. The true challenge of policy, however, is to make policy purpose and enforcement
mechanisms to fit with the local customs, life-modes and habits. The increasing presence of the wolf in
Pöytyä, SW Finland in 2011, and the consequent concern, fear and frustration led the local civil society
groups and municipalities to apply a killing permit to remove one problematic young wolf from the pack.
In the hunt that followed one young wolf and also the alfa-female were killed. This surprising result led to
police investigation and increasing tension between the actors. In this paper, we will explore the mechanisms
of and the reasons for the adaptive actions and reactions of organized agents under this system
disturbance. Our study builds on a case study methodology and qualitative data collected in SW Finland in
2011−2012. The results demonstrate the major role and significance of (i) institutional opportunities and
freedoms, (ii) fallibility present in the complex socio-ecological systems and (iii) leadership in the attempt
to influence which solutions to the problems are the most appropriate and reasonable.