The Golden Eagle Compensation Scheme in Finland as an Example of Incentive Measures: Potential for Conflict Management?

Abstract

This article is an introduction to an incentive compensation scheme and its comparison to the traditional compensation for confirmed damages. The scheme is for losses caused to the reindeer (Rangifer taranus) husbandry by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). In the scheme payments are based on nesting and reproduction of the species. The legal research framework is widened with regulation theory to evaluate the benefits of the different compensation schemes. The incentive scheme turns out to be more capable of achieving the targets of providing a continuing incentive, effectiveness and dependability, financial efficiency, administrative feasibility, equity and acceptability than the confirmed damage compensation scheme. The incentive scheme builds upon deliberative follow-up and shared information and has proved its ability for conflict management.