Exploring the Implications of Different Assumptions about the World: An experiment to Investigate the socio-ecological relations of reindeer herding in the Sub-Arctic region of Sweden

This paper discusses the implications of different theoretical and methodological approaches for grasping complex socio-ecological relations through the empirical case of reindeer herding in Subarctic, Sweden. Transhumant reindeer herding is an important livelihood strategy that has been connected to Sami cultural tradition since time immemorial. The study explores how key concepts and assumptions used within political ecology, common pool resources, and resilience thinking converge and diverge when trying to understand the socio-economic relations of reindeer herding. To get an empirical snapshot of reindeer herding, we conducted qualitative interviews with representatives of Sami villages and key informants in the Kiruna region. Those interviewed had an interest in the continuation of reindeer herding as a cultural and economic practice. Common concerns raised by informants centred on the accumulative negative impact of economic activities (such as mining and forestry) that have progressively expanded into the reindeer herding area. Climate change has also been raised as a driver placing additional stress on reindeer herding. Initial discussions among the research group indicate the key points of difference in interpretation, centre on: whether to view the situation described above as a conflict or adaptation; issues of scale (what constitutes a socio-ecological system and its boundaries); the role of the State and its role in demarcating and reproducing property rights; and diversification of Sami livelihoods and identity. Through this work we hope to make a contribution to the discourse on the implications of theory for understanding and acting in the world.