Varieties of energy transition: how do interest Groups impact the decision-making mechanism in Democracies?

This thesis investigates the influence of carbon-intensive energy companies as veto players on the decision-making mechanisms within the energy transition process. The thesis argues that where carbon-intensive energy sectors are consolidated, it is less likely to implement green policies compared to non-consolidated ones due to their increased ability to influence the decision-making process. The first chapter of the thesis provides the historical energy transitions. The chapter highlights the impact and importance of energy as one of the fundamental materials in human life. In this context, the 1973 OPEC crisis is particularly explained because it poses a significant determinant in countries’ energy politics. The subsequent chapter compares democracies and non-democracies in terms of their decision-making process and argues that only in democracies, interest groups function as veto players due to the existence of a veto mechanism. This chapter contains Australia and China as case studies and both countries’ historical energy trends are examined. The next chapter argues the varieties of energy transition among democratic countries and the relationship between carbon-intensive energy companies and the energy transition is measured. It is observed that there is a positive relationship with fossil fuel production and carbon-intensive energy companies. Subsequently, empirical results are discussed, and selected countries’ historical energy policies are shared. In the final chapter, theoretical and empirical results are shared, and further researches are discussed.