Autocratic Power : Energy Megaprojects in the Age of Democratic Backsliding
Energy megaprojects have enormous impacts on society, the environment and political systems. The global decline of democratic norms in the last decade has important implications for the development of energy megaprojects, which have not been systematically examined in extant literature. This article examines the mutual constitution between autocratization and energy megaprojects by creating an analytical framework that appraises the link between autocratic durability and the incentives and risks of energy megaprojects. It engages with existing data on political rights and civil liberties in 16 countries involved in five forthcoming energy megaprojects. The article finds that while the undemocratic nature of energy megaprojects offers lucrative incentives to autocratic governments, the decline in pluralistic and democratic approaches to governance increases the key political, social and environmental risks of such projects. The findings suggest that autocratization can increase the likelihood of megaprojects being constructed but magnifies the prospect of megaproject failure. This article advances knowledge on the contemporary phenomenon of autocratization and democratic backsliding by proposing that forthcoming energy megaprojects can be a key element of autocratic durability. The research contributes to an understanding of energy megaprojects as dynamic entities that respond to and influence diverse governance systems across political boundaries. The analysis suggests that policy choices between environmental protection and the economic development is made more complex by autocratic capture of energy technologies, indicating that global efforts towards balancing climate change mitigation with poverty alleviation must also consider the impact of these initiatives on democratic backsliding
Year of publication: |
[2022]
|
---|---|
Authors: | Huda, Mirza Sadaqat |
Publisher: |
[S.l.] : SSRN |
Subject: | Demokratie | Democracy | Welt | World | Energiepolitik | Energy policy | Energiewirtschaft | Energy sector | Macht | Power | Autoritarismus | Authoritarianism |
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