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Rethinking us vs. them: discourse coalitions, polarization and common ground in the Swedish forestry debate

Lindman, Vera LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Swedish forest management has been criticized for its negative environmental impacts, yet forestry legislation has remained largely intact for decades. Although the forestry debate is often described as polarized, the role of discourses in enabling or challenging institutional stability remains underexplored. Using discourse network analysis, with a basis in argumentative discourse theory, I examine discourse coalitions in the debate from 2013-2025 in Sweden’s two largest newspapers. By highlighting overlaps between coalitions, discrepancies in dichotomizations and obscured assumptions underlying opposing claims, I challenge simplified accounts of polarization to argue that obstacles to more sustainable forestry lie not in polarization per... (More)
Swedish forest management has been criticized for its negative environmental impacts, yet forestry legislation has remained largely intact for decades. Although the forestry debate is often described as polarized, the role of discourses in enabling or challenging institutional stability remains underexplored. Using discourse network analysis, with a basis in argumentative discourse theory, I examine discourse coalitions in the debate from 2013-2025 in Sweden’s two largest newspapers. By highlighting overlaps between coalitions, discrepancies in dichotomizations and obscured assumptions underlying opposing claims, I challenge simplified accounts of polarization to argue that obstacles to more sustainable forestry lie not in polarization per se, but in its depoliticized and non-reflexive forms. Ultimately, I argue that paths forward require more radical politicized opposition, not less. (Less)
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author
Lindman, Vera LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainability Science, Swedish forestry, discourse coalitions, polarization, depoliticization
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:038
language
English
id
9252933
date added to LUP
2026-10-29 16:02:40
date last changed
2026-10-29 16:02:40
@misc{9252933,
  abstract     = {{Swedish forest management has been criticized for its negative environmental impacts, yet forestry legislation has remained largely intact for decades. Although the forestry debate is often described as polarized, the role of discourses in enabling or challenging institutional stability remains underexplored. Using discourse network analysis, with a basis in argumentative discourse theory, I examine discourse coalitions in the debate from 2013-2025 in Sweden’s two largest newspapers. By highlighting overlaps between coalitions, discrepancies in dichotomizations and obscured assumptions underlying opposing claims, I challenge simplified accounts of polarization to argue that obstacles to more sustainable forestry lie not in polarization per se, but in its depoliticized and non-reflexive forms. Ultimately, I argue that paths forward require more radical politicized opposition, not less.}},
  author       = {{Lindman, Vera}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Rethinking us vs. them: discourse coalitions, polarization and common ground in the Swedish forestry debate}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}