Introduction
Today′s Windmills are taller than the cathedrals of the Middle Ages and the cooling towers of the atomic age. They are standing all over Germany and are sharply criticised as well as cheeringly advocated. At present, the discourse of the use of wind energy concentrates on building numerous and large offshore wind farms. In this paper, I will investigate how ′democratic′ is the policy and decision-making process concerning wind energy in Germany. This case study aims to demonstrate the current limits of democracy and suggest how ′more democratic′ practices could be implemented. In order criticise the policy, it is necessary to describe the political context in advance. The lead off will be made by some historic and technical aspects of this technology.
Historic roots and technical aspects
Humans have been using the energy of the wind for centuries. For example, there were over 200 000 windmills all over Europe in the 18t h century. However, the purpose of these windmills was grinding grain and squeezing seeds. The first installation to generate electricity was built by the inventor Charles F. Brush from Cleveland, Ohio in 1888. Apart from some deplorable attempts of the Nazis, wind power in Germany came (back) on the agenda with the oil crisis of 1973. In order to defy the price dictated by the sheiks, there was a lot of research concerning alternative energies. However, the effects are not worth mentioning. Nowadays, there are about 16000 windmills on land in Germany in order to produce electricity. Although this alternative form of electricity production seems ecologically friendly, there are wide spread protests against these highly subsidised monsters. The main arguments are the mutilation of the landscape, insomnia due to the monotonous hum and the disco effect (red lights flashing in the night), the price decline of neighbouring properties, and the considerable number of dead birds.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 HISTORIC ROOTS AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS
3 THE POLITICAL CONTEXT
3.1 THE GOVERNMENT CHANGE
3.2 CLIMATE PROTECTION
3.3 THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK: THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LAW
4 THE LIMITS OF DEMOCRACY
4.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE WAYS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4.2 INHIBITING FACTORS FOR DEMOCRATIC DELIBERATION
4.3 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING DEMOCRATIC DELIBERATION
5 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOKS
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper investigates the democratic quality of wind energy policy and decision-making processes in Germany, specifically focusing on the expansion of offshore wind farms. It aims to identify the current democratic limitations and proposes improvements for more inclusive, deliberative practices.
- Analysis of the political and legal framework (Renewable Energy Law) governing wind energy.
- Evaluation of existing public participation mechanisms and their effectiveness.
- Application of the "strong democracy" concept to evaluate current energy policy.
- Identification of structural and psychological factors hindering democratic deliberation.
- Development of strategies to strengthen community involvement in energy technology policies.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Inhibiting factors for democratic deliberation
(i) The preliminary consultation meetings are the institutional scheduled space for public participation. However, the institutional framework does not intend to give the preliminary consultation meetings a decision-making competence. Rather, they have (only) an advisory function. This leads to the psychological fact that these meetings are seen as having no big effects in the decision-making process. Moreover, the wind power plant operators who often are perceived much more as enemies than as partners ran the meetings. Which leads to a culture of distrust and a feeling of David against Goliath. Finally, the meetings were held on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm that makes it difficult for the majority of citizens to participate.
(ii) The constellation of the interest groups is more symmetric and equal. The common aim and being directly affected creates a feeling of togetherness. In the interest groups deliberative processes took place. However, they were more focused on action, pursuing particular aims, and trying to avoid decisions that had already been made by authorities at 'higher' political levels.
(iii) The role played by the media concerning democratic deliberation has to be discussed thoroughly for each media in particular. At a first glance, media have an information delivering function, but are these spaces for public deliberation? In newspapers one can express ideas in letters to the editor, on TV one can 'participate' through telephone voting, and on the Internet being part of think tanks. The presence of plurality of opinions is a decisive constituent of democracy, however the role of media moguls in setting the agenda and deciding about the way of coverage is problematic concerning matters of democracy. At least it remains questionable, if the deliberation and participation in the media is one that Barber speaks about.
Summary of Chapters
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the rise of wind energy in Germany, outlines the core research objective regarding the democratic nature of current decision-making processes, and provides an overview of the paper's structure.
2 HISTORIC ROOTS AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS: This chapter provides a historical background of wind energy use and discusses the technical challenges and risks associated with the development of offshore wind farms.
3 THE POLITICAL CONTEXT: This chapter examines the political shift in Germany since 1998, the national climate protection agenda, and the enactment of the Renewable Energy Law as the primary driver for wind energy growth.
4 THE LIMITS OF DEMOCRACY: This chapter evaluates the current policy against Benjamin Barber’s concept of "strong democracy," analyzing existing participation methods, institutional barriers, and potential avenues for fostering civic engagement.
5 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOKS: This chapter concludes the findings by reflecting on the discourse around wind energy and emphasizing the need for institutional changes to facilitate a more participatory, constructive culture in technology policy.
Keywords
Wind energy, democracy, deliberative politics, offshore wind farms, renewable energy law, citizen participation, social capital, climate protection, public policy, Germany, strong democracy, sustainable energy, community involvement, decision-making, technological order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how democratic the policy and decision-making processes regarding wind energy, particularly offshore wind farms, are in Germany.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The work covers historical and technical aspects of wind energy, the political and legal environment (Renewable Energy Law), democratic theory, and public participation practices.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate the current limits of democracy within energy policy and to suggest how "more democratic" and inclusive practices can be implemented.
Which theoretical framework is applied in this study?
The author uses Benjamin Barber's concept of "strong democracy," which emphasizes participatory processes and active citizenship over traditional representative, "thin" democratic models.
What does the main part of the paper address?
The main section investigates the legal framework, describes current spaces for public participation (like consultation meetings), analyzes factors that hinder deliberation, and proposes improvements for institutional settings.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include wind energy, democratic deliberation, public participation, Renewable Energy Law, strong democracy, and institutional settings.
How does the author view the "preliminary consultation meetings"?
The author argues these meetings lack genuine decision-making power, often serve only an advisory function, and are psychologically perceived as ineffective by the public due to distrust and timing constraints.
What role does the Renewable Energy Law play in the democratic process?
The law is seen as a driver for wind energy expansion, but the author highlights that its time-sensitive clauses forced a fast-paced development that arguably bypassed "strong" democratic deliberative processes.
- Citar trabajo
- Stefan Krauss (Autor), 2004, Offshore wind energy in Germany, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/28112
