Analyzing transitions through the lens of discourse networks: Coal phase-out in Germany

Journal
Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2021-09
Author(s)
Markard, Jochen
;
;
Widdel, Linda
DOI
Abstract
Discourse analysis is gaining attention in transition studies. This paper uses discourse network analysis (DNA) to study how discourse coalitions, and the storylines they mobilize, change over time. Drawing from archival data of two daily newspapers, we analyze the struggle over coal phase-out in Germany (2000–2020). We identify an anti-coal discourse coalition, which was stable and ideationally congruent over time. It used climate change as the dominant storyline to delegitimize coal. The phase-out policy decision in 2020 can be interpreted as the success of this coalition. The pro-coal coalition, in contrast, was more dispersed and less consistent in their arguments. Nonetheless, it was able to institutionalize some of its key storylines in the final policies. We argue that DNA is a powerful tool we can mobilize in sustainability transitions research for the study of politics and beyond.
Funding(s)
Language
English
Keywords
Discourse network analysis
Discourse coalitions
Technology decline
Regime destabilization
Coal phase-out
Politics of climate change
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Elsevier
Volume
40
Start page
315
End page
331
Official URL
URL
Subject(s)

political science

social sciences

Division(s)

IWOE - Institute for ...

Contact Email Address
adrian.rinscheid@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
265274
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