Introduction

Abstract

Energy is the physical fuel of societal dynamics. Its form and use is an integral part of a society. Therefore, the politics and the economics of energy provision and consumption are too complex to be left to any particular discipline or elite. Also, there is no such discipline as energology. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach has to be taken which methodologically has to muddle through. It is the target of this book to describe the various facets of energy politics in such a manner that a comprehensive picture is obtained which reflects the kind of society in which we live and which permits projections to be made as to possible or probable futures.

Demokratie, auf das knappeste ausgedrückt, bedeutet: Tun, was geschieht.

(Musil 1978)

Although energy supply is not distributed on an equity basis around the globe, it is not any global-level shortage of energy supply in itself that is the basic problem. In contrast to the concerns of the 1970s, the issue now is that inadvertent and potentially hazardous environmental effects (acidification, changing chemical and physical climate, threatened biotopes and species) of energy use constrain the ways in which energy can be used. Therefore, rapidly changing perceptions in environmental science are now challenging energy policies to respond... it should be noted that the crucial questions must relate to meaningful timescales...

(Wiman 1991)

Risiko und Konsens in der Energiepolitik schließen sich aus.

(Adam 1991)

This is an interdisciplinary book on the world, Japan, and energy.