Nuclear power: Friend or foe?

Introduction

The debate for and against nuclear energy has been continuing and vigorous. It is a subject that people tend to have a view about, for nuclear energy is not simply an issue about the rational choice of an energy option; it also arouses ethical choices based on opposing values. The debate has ebbed and flowed over the years, influenced by the prevailing discourses. During the early years, the era of the discourse of trust in technology, nuclear energy was regarded favorably and opposing views were largely absent. Later on, as fears about the risks from nuclear energy grew so too did the opposition, contributing to a more defensive position by pro-nuclear interests. For a while, it appeared that an uneasy consensus was emerging on the issue of radioactive waste management, but positions on the issue of nuclear energy remained entrenched. With the so-called ‘nuclear renaissance’ gathering momentum in recent years, nuclear advocates, backed by governments, have gained in confidence while opponents have resorted, once again, to mobilizing against further expansion of nuclear energy. This course provides a sample of level 3 study in Social sciences

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the technical and political constraints on the development of alternative energy strategies
• Reflect on the contemporary discourse of nuclear energy
• Assess your own position in these debates.