Governing the Atom

Nuclear power is promoted as a form of limitless, low-cost energy without the polluting effects of fossil fuels, but it has been troubled by a wide range of problems and continues to pose risks that many believe society should accept. Governing the Atom explores why support for the technology remains substantial, examining the social institutions that have accompanied its development, the accommodations required of society, the inherent tendency towards normal accidents, the conflict between expert and public opinion on the dangers involved, and the ongoing problems of waste disposal and decommissioning. The volume concludes with an examination of nuclear power developments in France, Germany, Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern Europe, Korea, and Japan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Nuclear power has been promoted as a form of limitless, low-cost energy without the polluting effects of its fossil fuel counterparts. However, despite the development of extensive policy and institutional mechanisms to foster its use, nuclear technology has faced numerous challenges and continues to pose risks that many believe are far greater than society should accept. The legacy of failure ranges from catastrophic accidents like the Chernobyl disaster to the declaration of bankruptcy by the Washington Public Power Supply System.

Governing the Atom: Exploring the Social Institutions and Challenges of Nuclear Power explores why support for the technology remains substantial. The first part of the volume examines the social institutions that have accompanied the development of nuclear power, including the role of government, industry, and public opinion. The second part details the numerous accommodations that have been required of society, beginning with the technology's impact on communities and geographic regions, particularly affected by mining and milling.

The technology's inherent tendency towards normal accidents and the conflict between expert and public opinion on the dangers involved are examined, as are the ongoing problems of waste disposal and decommissioning. The volume concludes with an examination of nuclear power developments in France, Germany, Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eastern Europe, Korea, and Japan.

Governing the Atom provides insightful commentary regarding the initiation and development of nuclear technology. It will be of interest to policymakers, energy and environmental experts, sociologists and historians of technology, and all those interested in the policy issues surrounding energy production and consumption.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138524521