Abstract
This chapter describes an approach to the political economy of science and technology, then discuss how it works using data drawn from changes in state government policies with respect to REEE in the United States. The term energy transition is used to refer to changes in energy technologies that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. After the Republican Party gained control of the US House of Representatives in 2011, opportunities to pass legislation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions ended in the federal government. As the country with highest level of opposition from industrial incumbent organizations to decarbonization policies, the US provides a good laboratory for a detailed examination of political economy of REEE. The sharp differences between Republicans and Democrats on energy transition policies in the US are symptomatic of broader polarization on issues in American politics. Hence, this chapter indicates the importance of classical political economy factors at play in the energy transition politics of the US.
