Out of the Nuclear: Out of France: Scale shift in the French anti-nuclear movement “Sortir du Nucléaire”

The French anti-nuclear movement finds itself in a difficult position. With a government that is known to be one of the most pro-nuclear governments in the world and a debate on nuclear energy that is greatly avoided by politicians from both right and left, anti-nuclear activist have to work hard to reach their goals. Meanwhile, Europeanization seems to offer social movements a new stage for activities. Social movements that are not successful ‘at home’ can attempt to bypass the national level by influencing the sub-national organization that is the European Union. Such a tactic is also referred to as the boomerang effect. This method requires an open political opportunity structure at the EU level, to offer receptivity to social movements’ claims. The political opportunity structure of the EU regarding nuclear energy, however, is determined as closed and thus gives no space for anti-nuclear movements. A study of the French anti-nuclear movement Sortir du Nucléaire offers insight in...Show moreThe French anti-nuclear movement finds itself in a difficult position. With a government that is known to be one of the most pro-nuclear governments in the world and a debate on nuclear energy that is greatly avoided by politicians from both right and left, anti-nuclear activist have to work hard to reach their goals. Meanwhile, Europeanization seems to offer social movements a new stage for activities. Social movements that are not successful ‘at home’ can attempt to bypass the national level by influencing the sub-national organization that is the European Union. Such a tactic is also referred to as the boomerang effect. This method requires an open political opportunity structure at the EU level, to offer receptivity to social movements’ claims. The political opportunity structure of the EU regarding nuclear energy, however, is determined as closed and thus gives no space for anti-nuclear movements. A study of the French anti-nuclear movement Sortir du Nucléaire offers insight in the adaptation of a movement to a combined closed opportunity structure from both the national government, France, and the sub-national government, the European Union. Using Tarrow’s theory of processes enhancing transnationalism in social movements, it shall be attempted to determine whether the French anti-nuclear movement has experienced the process of scale shift, which would indicate a transistion towards a more transnational focus. A qualitative research of the yearly reports of Sortir du Nucléaire will show that the movement has indeed shifted its attention for a great deal across the border and put much effort into creating new foreign contacts. Although Europeanization might indicate a shift towards EU-partners, a more global focus is also very much present.Show less

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Out of the Nuclear: Out of France: Scale shift in the French anti-nuclear movement “Sortir du Nucléaire”