Discourse Coalitions and the Institutionalization of Practice: The Case of Acid Rain in Great Britain

The attitude of the British government in the acid rain controversy has earned Britain the label of “the dirty man of Europe.”1 In the face of an international moral outcry Britain has been notoriously stubborn in denying accusations that the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions of its coal-fired power stations have caused environmental damage abroad. Analysts trying to pinpoint the reasons for Britain’s failure to deal with the problem point to inherent conflicts of interest. Britain’s unwillingness to act is interpreted as governmental delaying tactics, while the government’s reference to scientific uncertainty is described as using science as a “fig leaf” for policy. The inaction is explained in terms of the conscious exercise of power by key actors.2