Conspicuous Destruction: Energy Transition in Germany

Abstract

This paper examines whether conspicuous destruction—typically observed in small groups or individuals—can emerge as a behavioral pattern in large, democratic societies. Using Germany’s energy transition as a case study, it explores how politically legitimized decisions lead to the dismantling and devaluation of existing energy infrastructure, including nuclear power plants and fossil fuel systems. This visible devaluation and destruction serve as political and social signals of Germany’s commitment to a green economy. The paper identifies three interrelated motives driving this process: the pursuit of status, the demonstration of power, and the display of economic wealth. These motives, commonly observed in small groups, help explain similar behavioral patterns in national policymaking within the energy sector.