Social Movements and Energy Democracy: Types and Processes of Mobilization

David J Hess

doi:10.3389/fenrg.2018.00135

Abstract

An important but sometimes overlooked dimension of the study of energy, democracy, and governance is the role of social movements. Industrial transition movements (ITMs) emerge when there is resistance from incumbent organizations, such as large utility companies in the electricity industry, to grassroots efforts to change the industry. A classification of ITM goals is developed based on two types of sociotechnical transition goals (developing alternative technologies and ending existing technologies) and two types of societal change goals (the democratization of industrial organizations and political processes and the equitable access to jobs and industrial products). The study of processes and outcomes of ITMs also has implications for social movement theory, which are outlined. This approach enables a comprehensive analysis of the relations among the state, industry, civil society, and social movements that can identify causal mechanisms in the effects of social movements on industrial transitions and energy democracy.

Highlights

Of the many ways to conceptualize the study of energy and democracy, research that focuses on social movements should be central because they frequently raise questions of democratic control and process
Interdisciplinary research in this area can benefit from inquiry into ideal governance process and the state-centered analysis of political institutions, this commentary suggests the benefits of viewing energy systems as embedded in broader societal conflicts
Industrial transition movements (ITMs) can be narrowly focused on the goal of change of sociotechnical systems, such as bringing about a decarbonization transition in an energy sector, but they can include goals of improved democratic decision-making; community control; equitable access to affordable energy; and the creation of good, green jobs

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Of the many ways to conceptualize the study of energy and democracy, research that focuses on social movements should be central because they frequently raise questions of democratic control and process. To some degree calls for reform of energy systems and their governance can be accommodated through existing institutionalized channels of governance, such as legislatures and elected officials, but often incumbent organizations in the industry (e.g., utilities) block reform efforts through institutionalized channels In this circumstance, social movements tend to contest specific policies and processes associated with energy-related governance, political power, and democracy. The study of energy and social movements can be conceptualized as part of research on “industrial transition movements” (ITMs) This type of social movement has the goal of bringing about substantial changes in an industry, and it appears in various industrial sectors such as food (sustainable food, community gardening), transportation (bicycling, public transit), waste management (recycling), the built environment (new urbanism), and finance (community finance). This study builds on and extends previous work on ITMs (e.g., Hess, 2016b, 2018)

ENERGY AND ITMs

PROCESSES AND CONDITIONS

CONCLUSION