Die waldpolitische Öffnung: Ein Holzweg? | The opening-up of forest policy:a wrong turning?

The paper is a contribution towards the fundamental discussion on the future of the Swiss forest economy and presents the possible effects of a far-reaching liberalisation. We develop the basis for a liberal program with the transfer of more responsibility to forest owners, the abolition of subsidies and the withdrawal of civil servants from forest management. The program looks at the importance of clear and stable property rights and explains private provision of public expectations on the forest, taking the new understanding of bureaucracy's role into consideration. Distortion of competition and insufficient time prove to be obstacles to piecemeal reform. The struggle for profit, competitive attitudes or economic theory, research and practice can all contribute to an opening. The spontaneous nature of the liberal order means that the relevance of domestic wood production remains open.