The Ecological Modernization Capacity of Japan and Germany

Comparing Nuclear Energy, Renewables, Automobility and Rare Earth Policy

• Author(s): Lutz Mez, Lila Okamura, Helmut Weidner,
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 208
• ISBN_10: 3658274050
  ISBN_13: 9783658274054
  
• Language: en
• Categories: Political Science / General , Political Science / Public Policy / Environmental Policy , Political Science / Comparative Politics , Political Science / International Relations / General ,

Description:...

Cognitive-strategic capabilities of a country are decisive for overcoming the strong path dependence in climate-related policies and to achieve ecological and economic modernization. This is the result of a unique comparison approach focusing on four highly intertwined policy areas (Automobiles, Nuclear Energy, Renewables and Rare Earth) in Japan and Germany. Both countries have in principle sufficient economic, technological and institutional capacities for an ecological transformation, but they are lacking an integrated policy strategy to mobilize and organize the existing capacities in favor of structural changes. The focused four policy areas are analyzed in depth and compared by experts from political science.