INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUES.

Abstract

The author states that it is commonplace to note that nuclear programs around the world have fallen behind the rather spectacular development programs that were once envisioned for nuclear energy. To a considerable degree the reason for this is lower economic growth than was expected worldwide, but it is also commonplace to observe that the other reason is ambivalent or negative public attitudes. The development of a nuclear energy program is often more directly a question of government policy, at least in the first instance. The question may be asked: do politicians lead public opinion, or do they follow it? There is a complex interaction between the two parts of the question and this interaction is different in different countries, according to the local concepts of democracy, constitution, and so forth. It is argued that public acceptance of nuclear power has tended to increase, but too often tactical considerations prevail. The timespan of the electoral cycle and that needed to make good a significant commitment to nuclear energy are just not compatible. The policy of a government in one country can have a significant impact on public opinion in another, and equally the policy of a government may be strongly influenced by public opinion elsewhere.