ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the development of forestry as a strong industry in relation to other benefits and rights in the forest arena and shifting historical contexts. It outlines the development of Swedish forests' ownership structure, and the transition of forestry from a part of subsistence farming and proto-industry to a major commercial industrial sector. The chapter describes the evolvement of other forest-dependent benefits and rights. It focuses on the 'environmental turn' in society and how it has affected forestry during the last decades. From about mid-nineteenth century to about mid-twentieth century, there was pervasive tension in benefits of the forest between agriculture and industry. Property rights have played a fundamental role in formation of the forest arena. The forest social contracts include formal and informal regulations regarding rights and duties of the forest owners, state and other actors. In Sweden, the bioeconomy agenda has strongly influenced the forest arena.
