Paradigm change, expedience or fashion? Policy inconsistencies in the Congo Basin countries

A paradigm is a parallel model of beliefs, truths or world-views. Paradigm change in forestry implies change of standard thought models and established truth. External interest groups and institutions argue that forestry and foresters are out-of-touch with science and society, and their paradigms obsolete. A new forestry must be invented and new attitudes taken. Rehabilitation would involve restructuring, new rules, high-density regulation and close monitoring. The author argues that this indicates a bizarre misconception of the nature and role of forestry and reveals a potentially dangerous goal perception. Examples from the Congo Basis are used to identify the real motives behind the calls for change. Inventing new forestry in fact reinvents old traditionally social and holistic forestry. The problem is that forestry and foresters have grown out-of-touch with financial and political power, the formerly strong integrative role of multiple-function forestry has dwindled without substitute under the impact of newly emerging forces in politics and civil society. The roles have changed, external paradigm changes, some nave, some for ulterior motives, have now overcome foresters and forestry, but not for the better of the people.