|
How glad I am that the debate over
climate science is done. Only the flat earthers and the minions of Big Oil, Big
Coal and Big Cars are still fighting a rearguard action against the necessity
of taking action to stem global warming. Now comes the fun part: the political
battle over how to set the world economy on a new energy path.
The politics of energy transformation
sets two fundamental ideologies against each other.
On one side are those who believe
that capitalism works best when private interests play out in the market.
Countries, companies and individuals make rational decisions in their self interest,
and an invisible hand guides the markets toward the good. Government’s role is
to keep out of the way. Two things to note about this belief system are that it
does not take account of public goods, such as air, water and forests, and that
the invisible hand is akin to a deity—there is no proof of its existence. At
its most basic, this side believes that the magic of markets will produce new
technologies to take care of global warming.
On the other side are those who
believe that capitalism produces a good result only when humans take charge of
market forces and vigorously protect public goods and defend the public
interest. This side believes democratic politics are the ultimate force in
economic and social change.
This conflict has been going on for
a long time, and there’s little likelihood that it will end in one side’s total
victory and the other side’s defeat.
As the debate over what to do about
climate change develops, success will depend on the human genius for bridging
the gap between opponents through political compromise and innovation.
Let the game begin.
Trackback(0)
|
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
