Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Nuclear unclear: an investigation of British nuclear power policy, 1945-2005

Sneddon, S. Nuclear unclear: an investigation of British nuclear power policy, 1945-2005. PhD thesis. University of Northampton.

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Sneddon_Simon_2010_Nuclear_unclear_an_investigation_of_British_nuclear_power_policy_1945_2005
Sneddon_Simon_2010_Nuclear_unclear_an_investigation_of_British_nuclear_power_policy_1945_2005.pdf
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Abstract:
This thesis traces the development of policy and the regulatory framework for the commercial nuclear power industry in the United Kingdom between 1945 and 2005. It is argued that throughout the whole period politicians have legitimised their decisions in terms of a scientific discourse that represents the scientific community as unified and the decisions as thus self-evident. This is illustrated by looking at the key elements of legislation relating to nuclear power in four distinct periods: 1944-8, the introduction of nuclear power; 1973-8, the mortal wounding of nuclear power; 1992-5, the decline of public funding; and 2005-8, the rebirth of nuclear power. In each of the periods identified the key policy developments and legislative initiatives were based on pragmatic considerations. A distinction is made between two types of pragmatic considerations – reactive and proactive. While these types overlap in practice, in some cases the decisions were predominantly reactive and taken in relation to emergencies and global forces, and in others the decisions were predominantly proactive attempts to ensure a suitably balanced and priced energy mix.
Creators:
Sneddon, S.
Department:
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society ; Faculties > Faculty of Business & Law > Law
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society
Faculties > Faculty of Business & Law > Law
Language:
English
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
No
Institution:
University of Northampton
Related URLs:
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