Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/146204 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2016/19
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
This paper analyses the question why the South African government intends to procure nuclear energy technology, despite affordable and accessible fossil and renewable energy alternatives. We analyse the social shaping of nuclear energy technology based on the statements of political actors in the public media. We combine a discourse network analysis with qualitative analysis to establish the coalitions in support and opposition of the programme. The central arguments in the debate are cost, safety, job creation, the appropriateness of nuclear energy, emissions reductions, transparency, risks for corruption, and geopolitical influences. The analysis concludes that the nuclear programme is not primarily about generating electricity, as it creates tangible benefits for the coalition of supporters.
Subjects: 
nuclear energy
energy policy
science and technology policy
discourse network analysis
South Africa
JEL: 
O14
Q48
O33
O55
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9256-062-1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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