Taking on Technocracy - Nuclear Power in Germany, 1945 to the Present

The German abandonment of nuclear power represents one of the most successful popular revolts against technocratic thinking in modern times-the triumph of a dynamic social movement, encompassing a broad swath of West Germans as well as East German dissident circles, over political, economic, and scientific elites. Taking on Technocracy gives a brisk account of this dramatic historical moment, showing how the popularization of scientific knowledge fostered new understandings of technological risk. Combining analyses of social history, popular culture, social movement theory, and histories of science and technology, it offers a compelling narrative of a key episode in the recent history of popular resistance.

About the author

Dolores L. Augustine was until her retirement a Professor of History at St. John’s University, New York. She received her doctorate from the Free University of Berlin. Her publications include Patricians and Parvenus: Wealth and High Society in Wilhelmine Germany and Red Prometheus: Engineering and Dictatorship in East Germany, 1945-1990.

Summary

Taking on Technocracy addresses changing attitudes towards nuclear energy in the age of global warming. The German decision to abandon nuclear power is placed in a historical context, including popularization of science, new social movements, media, policing, gender, and the history of emotions.

Product details

• Authors: Dolores L. Augustine, Augustine Dolores L.
• Publisher: BERGHAHN BOOKS, INC
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.09.2021
• EAN: 9781800731981
• ISBN: 978-1-80073-198-1
• No. of pages: 304
• Series: Protest, Culture & Society
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; HISTORY / Europe / Germany, Germany, Science / Environmental Science, Pressure groups, protest movements and non-violent action, Demonstrations & protest movements, Energy industries and utilities, Nuclear Power Industries