Environmental, climate and energy policies: Path-dependent incrementalism or quantum leap?

Wurzel, Rüdiger K.W.

Abstract

The Grand Coalition's ability to induce significant environmental policy changes was constrained by a 'dual path dependency'. First, environmental policy has developed into a relatively consensual policy field in Germany although there are also some politically conflictual issues such as the use of nuclear power. Second, the Grand Coalition accepted the cornerstones of the previous (Red-Green) coalition government's environmental policy. Environmental Minister Sigmar Gabriel's launch of the concept of ecological industrial policy constituted the clearest example of an attempted paradigm change in environmental policy which was aimed at bringing about a 'quantum leap' and a 'third industrial revolution'. The concept of ecological industrial policy has, however, its roots in the older concept of ecological modernisation of which it constitutes an extension and refinement. © 2010 Association for the Study of German Politics.

Citation

Wurzel, R. K. (2010). Environmental, climate and energy policies: Path-dependent incrementalism or quantum leap?. German Politics, 19(3-4), 460-478. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644008.2010.515838

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2010
• Online Publication Date: Nov 25, 2010
• Publication Date: 2010-12
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: German Politics
• Print ISSN: 0964-4008
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3-4
• Article Number: PII 930049349
• Pages: 460-478
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644008.2010.515838
• Keywords: Political Science and International Relations; Sociology and Political Science
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/466134
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09644008.2010.515838
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014