Technologies of Discontinuation
Towards Transformative Policies
Edward Elgar Publishing
Will be published approx. on 28. October 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-80220-486-5 (ISBN)
Description
Technologies of Discontinuation examines how governments and other decision-makers can manage the phase-out of unsustainable technologies and systems. Providing helpful strategies and pathways, expert authors shed light on how the discontinuation of an incumbent regime can be governed in practice.
Employing comparative case studies, the authors identify recurring patterns, strategies and challenges in discontinuation processes. While innovation policy often focuses on supporting new solutions, they argue that effective transformation also requires deliberately ending harmful or obsolete socio-technical regimes. Chapters demonstrate how political leadership, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder mobilisation shape outcomes, and highlight how resistance and setbacks can be managed. The book concludes by emphasizing that discontinuation is not accidental or market-driven, but a governable process.
Scholars and students of science and technology studies, and innovation will find the insights into sustainable transitions and transformative innovation policy invaluable. Policymakers and practitioners seeking to design credible transition strategies will also benefit from this comprehensive guide.
Employing comparative case studies, the authors identify recurring patterns, strategies and challenges in discontinuation processes. While innovation policy often focuses on supporting new solutions, they argue that effective transformation also requires deliberately ending harmful or obsolete socio-technical regimes. Chapters demonstrate how political leadership, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder mobilisation shape outcomes, and highlight how resistance and setbacks can be managed. The book concludes by emphasizing that discontinuation is not accidental or market-driven, but a governable process.
Scholars and students of science and technology studies, and innovation will find the insights into sustainable transitions and transformative innovation policy invaluable. Policymakers and practitioners seeking to design credible transition strategies will also benefit from this comprehensive guide.
Reviews / Votes
'This timely book engages with the important topic of governing the discontinuation of socio-technical systems. Drawing on case studies of DDT, lightbulbs, and nuclear power, the book develops a sophisticated and original processual perspective that captures interacting dynamics of problems, policies, politics, socio-technical dynamics and wider contexts. Highly recommended reading!' -- Frank Geels, University of Manchester, UKMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80220-486-5 (9781802204865)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Peter Stegmaier, Assistant Professor, Department of Technology, Policy and Society, Knowledge, Transformation and Society (KiTeS) section, University of Twente, the Netherlands, Pierre-Benoit Joly, Directeur de recherche, National Institute of Research for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), and Chair of the INRAE Center Occitanie-Toulouse, France, Stefan Kuhlmann, Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology and Society, University of Twente, the Netherlands, Philip Johnstone, Visiting Professor, University of Tartu, Estonia, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands and Visiting Fellow, University of Sussex, UK, Andrew Stirling, Professor Emeritus of Science and Technology Policy, Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK and Marc Barbier, Research Director, the National Institute of Research for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), France