Contesting the Commons: Economics and Politics in the New Forest National Park of Southern England

Abstract

The paper is a case study of a unique area of southern England, the New Forest, designated a national park as recently as 2005. Its inspiration was awareness of the environmental importance of national parks in Poland, and especially knowledge of current conflicts about timber exploitation in Białowieża that have attracted international concern. Both the New Forest and Białowieża have long histories as areas recognised for their special environmental importance. They are homes to fragile ecosytems that have endured over centuries and are now considered under threat. The New Forest has a rich and long history of conflicts over uses for its natural resources, and of institutions that evolved in response to changing economic needs and political priorities. People’s economic needs have always led to conflicts over perceptions about the best use of scarce resources. Sometimes arguments about the national interest is the driver; at the opposite extreme, local problems and priorities are the issue. Irrespective of scale, there need to be institutional frameworks suited to resolution of conflicts of interest and amenable to decision making aimed at their avoidance. Potentially, the New Forest experience contains lessons for other locations, including Poland. So, the paper outlines New Forest geography and history with specific reference to the interrelationship of economic pressures and institutional change, all set against the backdrop of present circumstances and future expectations in the light of current policy directions. It is concluded that international research collaboration potentially can offer new insights and understandings conducive to sustaining any such unique, precious and irreplaceable national park environments for the long term.