Social Logic of Energy Conservation in Industrial Society: Five Theses on Limitations and Possibilities

摘要

The central argument of this article is that the limited success of energy conservation policies and programs derives, in a very fundamental way, from the specific culture, institutional arrangements, and politics of industrial societies. Limitations are identified in (1) the data and social intelligence concerning energy consumption and end-use; (2) policy-making structures and interests dominating these, and (3) the means available for implementing policies and regulating energy consumption. It is also argued that fundamental change in energy consumption patterns will be brought about, if at all, through minority groups and social movements effectively advocating new social values, life styles and institutional arrangements, that is through pedagogic and political processes in their broadest meaning. (ERA citation 11:050909)