Week 2

Question 1

What did Fuchs say about power?

Answer 1

That we should not back down from it and even have a civic obligation, sustainability imparitve and a justice prerequisite to ask, uncover and expose mechanisms of power

Question 2

What is power?

Answer 2

The ability of actors to successfully pursue a desired political objective

Question 3

3 types of power over

Answer 3

• Instrumental
• Structural
• Discursive

Question 4

Instrumental power

Answer 4

direct influence on political outputs

Question 5

Instrumental power concept

Answer 5

Ability to let people do something

Question 6

Instrumental power key form influence

Answer 6

Policital lobbying

Question 7

Instrumental power key source of influence

Answer 7

• Organizational and financial resources
• Channels of access and influence
• Policy relevant knowledge and expertis

Question 8

What is the concept of revolving doors?

Answer 8

In America people from senior government positions often work as lobbyist afterwards

Question 9

Structural power

Answer 9

Influence on the input side of political processes

Question 10

Structural power 1 concept

Answer 10

Agenda-setting power

Question 11

Structural power 1 key form of influence

Answer 11

implicit or explicit threat of relocation of investments

Question 12

Structural power 1 key source of influence

Answer 12

• Level of market concentration
• Importance to economic growth, employment and innovation
• The dependence of politicians to get re-elected due to economic succes

Question 13

Structural power 2 concept

Answer 13

Rule-setting power

Question 14

Structural power 2 key form

Answer 14

Authority

Question 15

Structural power 2 key sources

Answer 15

• Level of market concentration
• Void left by governments
• Consumer demand
• New norms and ideas in society

Question 16

Possible solution to take away firms power?

Answer 16

Green eco labels

Question 17

Discursive power

Answer 17

ability to frame norms and ideas

Question 18

Discursive power concept

Answer 18

shape norms and ideas, creating new interests

Question 19

Discursive power key forms

Answer 19

Communication on issues that can change peoples perspective, framing issues that need business involvement and solutions

Question 20

Discursive power key sources

Answer 20

• Media time, advertisements, campaigns
• New media giants

Question 21

Framing issues: the business case

Answer 21

If Target were to use solar panels than solar panels will become mainstream. It will be cheaper and easier accessible

Question 22

Framing issues: framing themselves

Answer 22

Stating that governments can not fix the situation but businesses can

Question 23

Power with

Answer 23

Joint act in solidarity, based on learning and cooperation (win-win situations)

Question 24

Power to

Answer 24

Empowering individuals or groups to have agency and control over their own lives and decisions by giving them resources, knowledge and authority

Question 25

Fragility of business power

Answer 25

Discursive power gives companies power but is also their achilles heel: - Business is not a unitary actor - Differences between large, medium and small businesses - Vulnerability to scandals - Vulnerability to changing norms and values

Question 26

Structure-agency debate

Answer 26

Types of relations through which agents can bring about change or face structural constraints

Question 27

Substantial agency

Answer 27

Actors with a transformational orientation and have the ability to takee action or to choose what action to take

Question 28

Gridlock in environmental politics is completely incomprehensible

Answer 28

Being in favor is ultimately good for everyone. The structure of the regime will change and eventually they will win. However, it is not winning over someone but a win for everyone.

Question 29

Types of agency

Answer 29

- Selfdetermined - Individual - Substantial - Policy (strong notions on right and wrong)

Question 30

4 faces of power

Answer 30

- Agent based - visible power (instrumental) (power to/with) - Hidden power (structural) - Invisible power (discursive) - Unconsious power (the environment is an object of governance)

Question 31

3 reasons why rule setting matters

Answer 31

- Exercise of power by business actors (design of rules: only big companies can dictate) - Business set rules: affects all - Rule setting by business: undermines public rule setting

Question 32

Consumption corridors

Answer 32

Satisfying human needs and reducing demand for energy resources

Question 33

3 things needed for just sustainability transitions

Answer 33

- Balance of power - Decision making process - Focus on ecological and social justice

Question 34

Reasons no governance in food sector

Answer 34

1. Power of the companies 2. Lack of clear scientific consensus 3. Weak and fragmented natur of regulatory frameworks 4. The complex and distanced nature of the underlying drivers

Question 35

Role of technology in food sector (2 ways)

Answer 35

Let the big firms do it: more chemicals and dependence of farmers Let do small scale agro-ecological production methods