Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Apples and horned toads: On the framework-determined nature of the energy debate

  • Published:
Policy Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A common view of the energy problem holds that what is at stake in most energy policy debates are questions of fact that are in principle susceptible to resolution by objective, scientific research. It is argued in this paper that this view is misguided, and that underlying many of the factual issues apparently in dispute are differences at the framework level, that is differences in basic presuppositions and the patterns of thinking employed.

By means of an examination of the debate over soft and hard energy paths, it will be argued that framework differences are fundamental to that debate and that such differences are not susceptible to factual resolution. As a result, the debate has taken on the character of a ritualized performance, as each side strives to convince, not their opponents, but policymakers of the rightness of their opinion. Some of the implications of these findings for energy policymaking are explored.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adkins, B. (1977). “Misdirections in energy strategy,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 869–874.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behrens, C. (1976). “Alternative Long-Range Strategies: An Analysis and Interpretation of the Testimony Presented by Amoury [sic] Lovins and Linn Draper to the Senate Select Committee on small Business,” Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, December 9. Reprinted in the United States Congress (1977), pp. 417–433.

  • Brennan, P. (1977). “The soft path, the yellow brick road and pie in the sky,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 875–883.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butt, S. (1977). “A solar view of the soft paths,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 884–896.

    Google Scholar 

  • California Energy Commission (1981). 1982 Biennial Report. Sacramento, California: California Energy Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council on Energy Independence (1977). “Comments on Article by Amory B. Lovins,” enclosure in letter sent to all members of the U. S. Congress. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 805–809.

  • Craig, P. and R. Nathans (1977). “Compliant Energy Paths-Comments on ‘Energy strategies [sic]-the road not taken,’ with an Analysis of the Implications for ERDA/ DOE.” Work supported by the Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington, D. C., August 24. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 1060–1151.

  • Craig, P., M. Christensen, M. Levine, D. Muhamed, M. Simmons (eds.), (1978). Distributed Energy Systems in California's Future. Report prepared for the U. S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • deLeon, P. (1980). Letter to the Editor. Foreign Affairs. 59: 172–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, I. (1977). Energy Strategy: Not What But How,” Energy Research Group Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 531–576.

  • Gander, J. and F. Belaire (1978). Energy Futures for Canadians. Report of the Long-Term Energy Assessment Program, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Canada (1980). The National Energy Program. Ottawa: Supply and Services Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hafele, W. (1981). “Energy in a finite world - expansio ad absurdum? A rebuttal,” The Energy Journal. 2: 35–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertel, Michael M. (1977). Letter from M. M. Hertel(Southern California Edison Co.) to Richard Maullin, Chairman, California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, May 2. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 1226–1227.

  • IIASA (1981). Energy in a Finite World — A Global Systems Analysis. Report by the Energy Systems Program Group of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Cambridge, Mass: Ballinger Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, T. and P. Steen (1977). Solar Sweden. Stockholm: Secretariat for Futures Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lapp, R. (1976a). Letter to Senator Gaylord Nelson, and enclosure entitled “Comments on A. B. Lovins' article ‘Energy strategy: the road not taken?’ Foreign Affairs, October, 1976,” December 22. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 501–516.

  • Lapp, R. (1976b). “Soft Thinking About Hard Problems”, summary sheet accompanying enclosure of Lapp (1976a) in a utility distribution, undated. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 525–526.

  • Lapp, R. (1977a). Letter to Senator Gaylord Nelson, and enclosure entitled: “Comments on Senator Nelson's Opening Statement, December 9, 1976,” January 24. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 52–54.

  • Lapp, R. (1977b). “Summary of ‘A critique of Amory Lovins article’,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 928–937.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leach, G., C. Lewis, A. van Baren, F. Romig and G. Foley. (1979). A Low Energy Strategy for the United Kingdom. London: The International Institute for Environment and Development and Science Reviews, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A. (1976a). “Energy strategy: the road not taken?” Foreign Affairs. October. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 186–217.

  • Lovins, A. (1976b). “Scale, Centralization and Electrification in Energy Systems,” paper presented at a conference of the Oak Ridges Associated Universities, October 17. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 218–282.

  • Lovins, A. (1977a). Responses to criticisms contained in United States Congress (1977). Printed in United States Congress (1977), passim.

  • Lovins, A. (1977b). Soft Energy Paths. New York: FOE/Ballinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A. (1977c). “Invited Testimony for Hearings on the Costs of Nuclear Power before the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, U. S. House of Representatives,” September 21. (contained in: “Outline of Proposed Testimony by Amory B. Lovins, 19 October, 1977, to the Ontario Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning”).

  • Lovins, A. (1978). “Soft Energy Technologies,” Annual Review of Energy. 3: 477–517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A. (1979). “Testimony of A. B. Lovins to the Select Committee on Ontario Hydro,” Toronto, March 2.

  • Lovins, A. (1980). “Economically Efficient Energy Futures,” in W. Bach et al. (eds.), Interactions of Energy and Climate. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: D. Reidel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A. (1981). “Expansio ad absurdum,” The Energy Journal. 2: 25–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A., L. Lovins and L. Ross (1980a). “Nuclear power and nuclear bombs,” Foreign Affairs. 58: 1137–1177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovins, A., L. Lovins and L. Ross (1980b). Reply to Letters, Foreign Affairs. 59: 176–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, E. (1980). “Energy forecasts: sinking to new lows,” Science 208: 1353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, D. (1981). “A Critique of the IIASA Energy Models,” The Energy Journal. 2: 17–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meinel, A. and M. Meinel (1977). “‘Softrsenergy paths-reality and illusion”, in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), 938–944.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miall, H. and D. Olivier (1981). “A summary of the ERR Energy Efficient Futures for the U. K.,” Paper presented at the Second International Conference on Soft Energy Paths, Rome, Italy.

  • Morrison, D. and D. Lodwick (1981). “The social impacts of soft and hard energy systems,” Annual Review of Energy. 2: 357–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, H. (1979). The Energy Controversy. San Francisco: Friends of the Earth Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Academy of Sciences(1979). Energy In Transition. Final Report of the Committee on Nuclear and Alternative Energy Systems, National Research Council. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, (Senator) G. (1977). “Opening Statement.” In United States Congress (1977), pp. 1–5.

  • Parisi, A. (1977). “Soft energy, hard choices,” The New York Times, October 16. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 800–803.

  • Perry, H. and S. Streiter (1977). “Amory Lovins'-Energy strategy: the road not taken?,” National Economic Research Associates Inc., June. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 1267–1363.

  • Robinson, J. (1982). “Bottom-up methods and low-down results: changes in the estimation of future energy demands,” Energy-the International Journal, (forthcoming).

  • Robertson, J. (1977). “The plain man's guide to Amory Lovins,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 979–995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochlin, G. (1977). “Lovins' Numbers-An Analysis,” attachment to original draft of Craig and Nathans, 1977. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 1152–1164.

  • Ross, M. and R. Williams (1981). Our Energy/Regaining Control. Toronto: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning (1980). Final Report. Volume 1: Concepts, Conclusions and Recommendations. Toronto: RCEPP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sant, R. (1979). The Least Cost Energy Strategy. Arlington, Va.: The Energy Productivity Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safer, A. (1977). “A critical review of ‘Energy strategy: the road not taken?’,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 996–1006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schurr, S. et al. ( 1979). Energy in America's Future. A study prepared for the RFF National Energy Strategies Project. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Secretariat for Futures Studies (1981). Solar vs. Nuclear-Choosing Energy Futures. Toronto: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solar Energy Research Institute (1981). A New Prosperity-Building a Sustainable Energy Future. Cambridge, Mass.: Brick House Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Special Committee on Alternative Energy and Oil Substitution (1981). Energy Alternatives. A Report to the Parliament of Canada: Ottawa: Supply and Services, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanford Research Institute (1976). “A Preliminary Social and Environmental Assessment of the ERDA Solar Energy Program, 1975–2020.” (Draft version of Stanford Research Institute, 1977). Excerpts reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 88–150.

  • Stobaugh, R. and D. Yergin (eds.) (1979). Energy Future. Report of the Energy Project at the Harvard Business School. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Congress (1977). “Alternative Long-Range Energy Strategies.” Joint Hearing before the Select Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, U, S. Senate, December 9, 1976. Washington, D. C.: U. S. Government Printing Office. 2 Volumes, paged consecutively.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waes (1977) Energy: Global Prospects 1985–2000. Report of the Workshop on Alternative Energy Strategies. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, B. (1977). Letter to the Editor. Foreign Affairs, July. Reprinted in United States Contress (1977), 722–726.

  • Wolfe, B. (1980). Letter to the Editor. Foreign Affairs. 59: 173–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yulish, C.(ed.)(1977a). Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 842–1006.

  • Yulish, C. (1977b). “Introduction,” in Charles B. Yulish (ed.), Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths. New York: Charles Yulish Associates Inc. Reprinted in United States Congress (1977), pp. 863–868.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Man-Environment Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

    John Bridger Robinson

Authors
  1. John Bridger Robinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Robinson, J.B. Apples and horned toads: On the framework-determined nature of the energy debate. Policy Sci 15, 23–45 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143365

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00143365

Keywords

Search

Navigation