Governing energy transitions: From governance to governmentality

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of the transformation of energy problems into security issues in promoting a transition toward a more sustainable energy system. To do so the paper considers how different modes of governance are related with technological innovation and institutional transformation and how the conceptualization of a problem as a security issue impacts on governance. To undertake this analysis the paper draws on the taxonomy of paradigms of governance proposed by Hisschemoller et al. and on a performative approach to security as formulated by the theory of securitization. It then integrates these two approaches using the concept of governmentality as an analytical tool to show that a process of securitization implies a transformation of the mechanisms of governance rather than a shift from one paradigm to another.