This comparative analysis of contemporary climate change discourse in the EU and the US impresses through its sound theoretical grounding and systematic empirical investigation. It makes an outstanding contribution to understanding the critical role of ideas and their framing in climate politics. It also provides new insights into the deep-rooted transatlantic differences in this policy field. Recommended reading! This book provides the first comprehensive comparison of climate action in the EU and the US after the Paris Agreement. Contrasting policy development in both cases, it shows the power of ideas in explaining different approaches to tackling climate change. While recognizing the role of institutions and actor interest, Frank Wendler offers a solid empirical study of how discourse employed by key actors within both systems shapes their climate politics. Recommended reading! This book makes a novel contribution to our understanding of different discourses in climate change policy-making on the EU level and in the US. It offers a nuanced analysis. The book makes an important and very timely contribution to the literature. It breaks new ground and provides a comprehensive assessment of core ideas and discourses which shape EU and American climate policy-making.
Author(s): Frank Wendler
Series: Palgrave Studies In European Union Politics
Edition: 1
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Commentary: TruePDF
Pages: 270
Tags: European Politics; American Politics; Political Communication; Governance And Government; Global Warming: Political Aspects: Europe; Global Warming: Political Aspects: United States; Climatic Changes: Political Aspects: Europe
Acknowledgments
Praise for Framing Climate Change in the EU and US After the Paris Agreement
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction: How Ideas and Discourse Frame the Politics of Climate Change
1.1 Rationales for Comparing the EU and US in Climate Change Policy
1.2 Climate Policy in the EU and US Since the Paris Agreement
1.3 Material factors: Vulnerability and economic interests
1.4 Institutional Variables: Comparing the EU and US as Multi-Level Systems
1.5 Ideas and Discourse About Climate Change: The Missing Link?
1.6 Rationale and Structure of the Book
References
2 Theoretical Framework: Framing, Issue Dimensions and Political Space
2.1 Framing: Linking Ideas, Discourse and Political Contestation
2.2 Framing Climate Change: Issue Categories, Justificatory Principles and Scope of Ideas
2.3 Research Hypotheses: Linking Frames, Issue Categories and Political Space
2.4 Data and Method: Operationalization of Frames and Document Analysis
2.5 Conclusion: Framing and the Political Space of Climate Change Policy
References
3 Climate Change Policy in the EU: From the Paris Agreement to the European Green Deal
3.1 The EU Climate Policy Cycle Since the Paris Agreement
3.2 Problem Definition and Agenda-Setting: EU Council and Commission
3.3 Parliamentary Discourse on Climate Change: Resolutions by the European Parliament
3.4 Civil Society: Stakeholders, Advocacy Groups and Activists
3.5 Framing Climate Change in EU policy Discourse: Structure, Linkages and Contestation
3.5.1 Structure of Discourse: Framing Climate Change in EU Policy Documents
3.5.2 Linkages: Proximity and Interconnections Between Frames
3.5.3 Contestation: How Political Party Groups Frame Climate Change
3.6 Conclusions: Framing Climate Change in EU Policy Discourse
References
4 US Climate Politics Since the Paris Agreement
4.1 Stages of US Climate Policy-Making Since the Paris Agreement
4.2 Presidential Discourse: The Contested Nexus of Climate, Energy and Industry
4.3 Legislative Discourse: Framing Climate Policy in Motions of US Congress
4.4 Civil Society Agents: Think Tanks and Advocacy Groups
4.5 Content Analysis: Framing Climate Change in US Policy Discourse
4.5.1 Structure of Framing: Disparate Perspectives on Climate Change
4.5.2 Linkages: Focused Versus Broad Approaches to Framing
4.5.3 Polarization: Competing Frames and Issue Categories in a Volatile Policy Debate
4.6 Conclusion: Framing as the Contested Link Between Climate Politics and Policy
References
5 Comparative Analysis: Framing Climate Change Discourse in the EU and the US
5.1 Political Space of Climate Politics: Issue Categories, Linkages and Contestation
5.2 Structure of Framing and Issue Categories of Climate Change Discourse
5.3 Linkages Between Frames: Profiles of Climate Change Discourse
5.4 Contestation of Frames and Polarization of Discourse
5.5 Discussion: Political Space and Issue Dimensions of Climate in the EU and US
5.6 Conclusion: Comparative Analysis of Climate Policy Discourse in the EU and US
References
6 Conclusion: Framing Climate Change in the EU and US After the Paris Agreement
6.1 Countering the Climate Crisis: The Critical Role of Ideas and Discourse
6.2 Climate Politics in the EU and US: Discourse as the Link Between Ideas, Agents and Institutions
6.3 Framing Climate Change in Post-Pandemic Times: Mainstreaming and Policy Linkages
6.4 Future Research Agendas: Politicization and Policy-Making on Climate Change
References
Annex: List of Documents Coded for the Empirical Analysis
European Union
European Council Conclusions
European Commission Documents
European Parliament Plenary Resolutions
EP Party Group Motions on the European Green Deal
United States
Executive Discourse—Policy Programs and Executive Orders
Obama Administration
Trump Administration
Executive Discourse—Presidential Speeches and Announcements
Obama Administration
Trump Administration
Legislative Discourse—House Resolutions
Democrat-Sponsored Bills and Resolutions
Republican-Sponsored Bills and Resolutions
Legislative Discourse—Senate Resolutions
Democrat-Sponsored Bills and Resolutions
Republican-Sponsored Bills and Resolutions
Index
