The strength of the state in the nuclear conflict

The different forms of reaction in France and the Federal Republic of Germany to the accident of Chernobyl again underline: These two industrial countries are the ones whose nuclear energy development has gone widest apart; looking at it from this angle, the bilateral controversy about Cattenom gains an exemplary character. The investigation elucidates the question of how the French state could succeed in realizing its expansion programme with a minimum of friction, while the Federal and Laender governments in this country were entangled in lengthy disputes. And the book also shows in how far the state that is politically weaker has proved to be the one more adaptable economically. (orig./HP)