Mammotsa Makhene
In her analysis of the current climate change, particularly CO2 emissions, Porter identifies both the path dependency as well as policy feedback theories to explain the conditions and factors that have contributed to this present status quo. She argues that increasing economic and social returns associated with the use of fossil fuels, were too high and thus prevented policymakers from moving toward alternatives better suited for the environment. What role does Hirschman's exit, voice and loyalty framework play in helping us make sense of the argument made by Porter using the path dependency theory.
Porter states that in November 2015, the world reached the carbon milestone of 400 parts per million and that in 2016 reports suggested that the world has permanently surpassed the recommended carbon dioxide threshold. If these thresholds were known years before they were actually reached, what role did voice and exit have? The fact that these thresholds were known, suggests that Dr Hansen and other policy makers used their voice to communicate possible future implications of not addressing CO2 emissions. This would be in accordance with Hirschman's theory that voice is preferred in situations where exit is not available or too costly. In the case of CO2 emissions exit by policy makers and environmental activists, is virtually impossible as there is no availability of choice, competition or a well functioning market.
Hirschman also argues that voice and exit can sometimes both be available and can either reinforce or undercut each other. In our CO2 emissions example, we could interpret exist as being the replacement of fossil fuels with alternative energies. Industries and individuals around the world could switch to alternative energy sources, helping decrease the CO2 emission levels. Although this would be beneficial in the short run, in the long run this may prove to have actually undercut the voice against fossil fuels. Those still using these fuels could still reach the dangerous thresholds mentioned in the long run. Thus a temporary decrease in CO2 emissions by firms and individuals using alternative energy, may actually decrease the voice needed to warn against climate change, as reaching dangerous thresholds becomes a long term and not short term issue.
Critics of the theory put forward by Hirschman, believe that he does not take into account how difficult it is to form voice. Even when voice is formed, actual change only occurs with vertical voice. In the case of CO2 emissions, we also have to consider the problem of the free rider. Those who actually choose the exit strategy, may in fact end up taking steps that will impact their cost and operations directly, but will benefit everyone in the long run, even those still making use of fossil fuels.
From the above it would seem that institutions or people who find themselves dealing with policy that is path dependant, more often than not will not have the exit option as a feasible choice. Voice here would be the instrument most used in trying to bring about change.
______________
Works Cited
In her analysis of the current climate change, particularly CO2 emissions, Porter identifies both the path dependency as well as policy feedback theories to explain the conditions and factors that have contributed to this present status quo. She argues that increasing economic and social returns associated with the use of fossil fuels, were too high and thus prevented policymakers from moving toward alternatives better suited for the environment. What role does Hirschman's exit, voice and loyalty framework play in helping us make sense of the argument made by Porter using the path dependency theory.
Porter states that in November 2015, the world reached the carbon milestone of 400 parts per million and that in 2016 reports suggested that the world has permanently surpassed the recommended carbon dioxide threshold. If these thresholds were known years before they were actually reached, what role did voice and exit have? The fact that these thresholds were known, suggests that Dr Hansen and other policy makers used their voice to communicate possible future implications of not addressing CO2 emissions. This would be in accordance with Hirschman's theory that voice is preferred in situations where exit is not available or too costly. In the case of CO2 emissions exit by policy makers and environmental activists, is virtually impossible as there is no availability of choice, competition or a well functioning market.
Hirschman also argues that voice and exit can sometimes both be available and can either reinforce or undercut each other. In our CO2 emissions example, we could interpret exist as being the replacement of fossil fuels with alternative energies. Industries and individuals around the world could switch to alternative energy sources, helping decrease the CO2 emission levels. Although this would be beneficial in the short run, in the long run this may prove to have actually undercut the voice against fossil fuels. Those still using these fuels could still reach the dangerous thresholds mentioned in the long run. Thus a temporary decrease in CO2 emissions by firms and individuals using alternative energy, may actually decrease the voice needed to warn against climate change, as reaching dangerous thresholds becomes a long term and not short term issue.
Critics of the theory put forward by Hirschman, believe that he does not take into account how difficult it is to form voice. Even when voice is formed, actual change only occurs with vertical voice. In the case of CO2 emissions, we also have to consider the problem of the free rider. Those who actually choose the exit strategy, may in fact end up taking steps that will impact their cost and operations directly, but will benefit everyone in the long run, even those still making use of fossil fuels.
From the above it would seem that institutions or people who find themselves dealing with policy that is path dependant, more often than not will not have the exit option as a feasible choice. Voice here would be the instrument most used in trying to bring about change.
______________
Works Cited
- Hirschman, Albert O., Chapter 4: “An Expanding Sphere of Influence” in Rival Views of Market Society and Other Recent Essays, Harvard University Press, 1992
- Sabatier and Weible, Chapter 5: “Policy Feedback Theory,” by Suzanne Mettle and Mallory Sorelle.