{"product_id":"the-political-economy-of-coal-obstacles-to-clean-energy-transitions","title":"The Political Economy of Coal: Obstacles to Clean Energy Transitions","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Political Economy of Coal: Obstacles to Clean Energy Transitions the reviewer finds a rigorous, case-study driven analysis best suited to researchers and policy professionals exploring why coal remains dominant despite cheaper renewables. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its focus on the political forces and institutional dynamics that shape energy policy, offering comparative evidence from multiple countries rather than abstract prescriptions. This makes it a useful reference for anyone wanting a nuanced explanation of coal lock-in and realistic levers for policy change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume assembles diverse national examples that illustrate how political structures influence continued coal use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolicy-focused analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters link political economy factors directly to policy outcomes, helping readers see why renewables have not replaced coal in many contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book covers both industrial and developing nations, providing a broad view of coal's role across different economic settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text frames coal in terms of its contribution to energy-related CO2 emissions and implications for the Paris Agreement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdited scholarly volume:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple contributors offer varied expertise, so readers gain a range of methodological and regional insights rather than a single-author view.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at academics, graduate students, energy policy analysts, and government advisors who need a detailed, politically informed account of why coal persists. It is particularly valuable for those working on transition strategies who require case-based evidence about institutional obstacles and stakeholder power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a practical how-to manual for building renewable projects or a beginner's primer on renewable technology should look elsewhere; the volume prioritizes political and institutional analysis over technical or operational guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a rigorous, comparative treatment that clarifies political drivers of coal dependence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects national case studies to global climate implications, useful for policy debate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes contributions from multiple experts, giving breadth and methodological variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe edited format means chapters vary in style and depth, so readers may find uneven treatment across cases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Political Economy of Coal: Obstacles to Clean Energy Transitions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichael Jakob, Jan C. Steckel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolitical economy of coal and energy policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative national case studies in industrial and developing countries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInstitutional and political factors affecting coal use and clean energy transitions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClimate context\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoal's role in energy-related CO2 emissions and Paris Agreement implications\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Political Economy of Coal is a valuable reference for policy researchers and practitioners who need empirically grounded explanations of coal lock-in. Its comparative, politics-first approach delivers insight into why economic signals alone have not ended coal use, making it good value for anyone designing politically realistic transition strategies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include international case studies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it covers a range of industrial and developing country cases to illustrate political economy dynamics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book focused on technical renewable solutions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the emphasis is on political and institutional barriers rather than technical guidance for renewable deployment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited this volume?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is edited by Michael Jakob and Jan C. Steckel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Jakob, Jan C. Steckel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48759387554011,"sku":"0367491028","price":204.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61sipYFK1XL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778412086","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-political-economy-of-coal-obstacles-to-clean-energy-transitions","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}