Nuclear power in Germany - History and future prospects

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Analytical framework

2.1. Kingdon’s multiple streams model

2.2. Rational choice theory

2.3. The role of the media

2.4. Putting it all together: the analytical framework

3. Historical analysis

3.1. 1955 - 1967: The speculative phase

3.2. 1967 - 1975: The breakthrough phase

3.3. 1975 - 1986: The stagnation phase

3.4. 1986 - 1998: The decline phase

3.5. 1998 - 2009: The political decline phase

3.6. 2009 - 2011: The revival phase

3.7. 2011 - onwards: The final phase

4. Germany’s new energy program

4.1. The policies of the energy program

4.2. Progress and problems of the new energy program

5. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This master thesis investigates the reasons behind Germany's policy decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022, analyzing how long-standing societal debates and external focusing events, particularly the Fukushima disaster, influenced the policy-making process within the framework of Kingdon’s multiple streams model.

• Historical analysis of German nuclear energy development across seven defined phases.
• Application of the multiple streams model to explain agenda-setting and policy change.
• Examination of the role of political stakeholders, including parties and interest groups, using rational choice theory.
• Evaluation of media influence on policy processes through Livingston and Robinson's models.
• Review of the current "Energiewende" program, its implementation progress, and identified challenges.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022 and outlines the research objective of analyzing this decision through a historical and theoretical lens.

2. Analytical framework: This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation of the thesis, combining Kingdon's multiple streams model, rational choice theory, and media influence models to analyze policy-making.

3. Historical analysis: This chapter provides a detailed chronological examination of nuclear energy policy in Germany, divided into seven distinct phases from 1955 to the present.

4. Germany’s new energy program: This chapter reviews the policies established for the energy transition and assesses the implementation progress, including encountered problems and political disputes.

5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that the long-standing societal debate and external focusing events significantly influenced the German nuclear energy policy-making process.

Keywords

Nuclear phase-out, Policy-making-process, Societal conflict, Multiple streams model, Kingdon, Fukushima, Energiewende, Germany, Nuclear energy, Historical analysis, Rational choice theory, Energy policy, Stakeholders, Political agenda, Media influence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The thesis explains the historical and political reasons behind Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power, focusing on how societal debates and external events shaped the decision-making process.

What is the primary objective of the research?

The primary objective is to analyze the influence of long-term societal conflict and major "focusing events" (like nuclear accidents) on German nuclear policy decisions over time.

Which theoretical model is used to analyze the policy-making process?

The research primarily utilizes John Kingdon’s "multiple streams model," supplemented by rational choice theory to explain actor behavior and models by Livingston and Robinson to account for media influence.

How is the historical development of nuclear energy categorized?

The history is divided into seven phases: the speculative phase, the breakthrough phase, the stagnation phase, the decline phase, the political decline phase, the revival phase, and the final phase.

What role did the Fukushima disaster play in the policy shift?

Fukushima served as a critical focusing event that shifted public opinion, created policy uncertainty, and forced the government to accelerate the nuclear phase-out, reversing previous decisions to extend plant operations.

How does the thesis define the role of political parties?

Political parties are viewed through the lens of rational choice theory, where they act as policy entrepreneurs attempting to maximize electoral support and secure power while responding to societal pressures.

How is the "Energiewende" evaluated in the study?

The study reviews the policies behind the energy transition, noting that while the program is ambitious and historically significant, it faces complex implementation challenges, including economic concerns and legislative delays.

What is the "two-option doctrine" mentioned in the historical analysis?

The "two-option doctrine," introduced by the SPD in the late 1970s, represented a shift to maintain existing nuclear plants while officially abstaining from building new ones, in response to the growing anti-nuclear movement.