A model is described which proposes that a government's actual forest policy should shift in
favour of sustainable forest management and control of deforestation when the effective
strength of pressures on policy-makers from internal protectionist groups approaches that of
exploitative groups. Effective strength depends on the strength of a group, how well it
transmits its pressures and the level of public support, all of which are linked to progress in
democratization and pluralization. External pressures may change stated policy but not …