Sustainability, Social Movements &

Democracy:

The Case of the Anti-Nuclear Power

Movement

Table of Contents

1.The anti-nuclear power movement in Germany

2.Jusos and the nuclear power question

3.The SPD and the nuclear power question

4.Conclusions

The anti-nuclear power movement in Germany

Anti-nuclear power movement = ecological social movement whose originis date back to the early 1970s

• Network of local, regional and national initiatives and organisations united in their rejection of the use of nuclear power and its consequences

• relatively diverse• strongly organized in local contexts in

particulary affected regions (e.g. nuclear waste depots)

• Support by national NGOs, e.g. Greenpeace, BUND, IPPNW

• Tradionally close ties to the Green Party

The anti-nuclear power movement in Germany

The Case against Nuclear Power Nuclear Power is highly risky and threatens the

population's safetyThere is not one single nuclear waste disposal site

in the whole worldThe use of Nuclear Power leads to a concentration

of wealth and power in the energy sectorNuclear Power slows down the expansion of

renewable energy sourcesNuclear Powers resource base uranium is not

renewable and its exploitation is hazardousNuclear Power creates no jobs in opposite to

renewables

The anti-nuclear power movement in Germany

1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

0

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Series1

1979/80 Mass Demonstrations 1986 Tshernobyl

1994 1st Nuclear Waste Transport

2000 „Nuclear Consensus“

2009/10 Mass Demonstration against nuclear comeback

Jusos and the nuclear power question: history

„Double Strategy“ ensured involvement in social movement debates

Closer ties to anti-nuclear power movement

Mid 1970s: Jusos claim to stop expanding the use of nuclear power (moratorium)

Later (1980s) Anti-Nuclear Power Resolution:

Exit strategy: absolish nuclear power

Shut down nuclear power plants Stop exporting nuclear technology

Jusos and the nuclear power question: today

Policies Renewables and highly efficient fossil fuels instead of nuclear power Nuclear Power is not a renewable energy source, it does not contribute to the prevention of climate change Early industrialized countries are to carry the main burden of emission reduction

network campaigns against nuclear power Large-scale and local manifestations Leaflets, Videos, Information

Jusos and the nuclear power question: campaigns

The SPD and the nuclear power questionThe SPD and the nuclear power questionThe SPD and the nuclear power question: history

Original nuclear power policy

Traditional labour movement faith in technical progress as a way of emancipation

Mid 1970s: SPD-led Schmidt government sticks to Nuclear Power despite growing dicontent

1977 Compromise: no extension, no exit (moratorium) until question of nuclear waste disposal is solved

The SPD and the nuclear power question: history

Change in Position in the mid 1980s

Growing influence of social movements and the green movement

influence of parts of the party, e.g. Jusos, grew in opposition after 1982

Historical situation revealing hazards (Tshernobyl accident 1986)

By the end of the 1980s SPD deciced that the use of nuclear power should cease

Conclusion

Social Movements can play an important role in bringing forward issues in the political agenda

Youth movements are potentially important to bridge the gap between social movement activists and party politics

Parties ignoring important issues coming up via social movements might face a rupture of the party

Thank you for your attention

ObrigadoGracias