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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10119/3808

Title: UK Radioactive Waste Disposal Policy; a role for Social Systems Science?
Authors: Michael, G Norton
Keywords: radioactive waste
soft systems science
ABSSS
UK Nirex
Sellafield
CORWM
Issue Date: Nov-2005
Publisher: JAIST Press
Abstract: This paper explores whether agent-based systems thinking and analysis could contribute to the highly practical task of resolving major public policy dilemmas - in this case UK policy on RW disposal, where policy has come full circle in 30 years with little net progress on developing a long-term strategy. The paper examines the chronology of events and the key actors and considerations in the decision-making process. Some key factors identified include the tension between national and local interests, and the lack of consensus on the potential role of nuclear power. Looking at the issue from a systems thinking perspective provides some useful insights. The “root definition”, a device invented in Soft Systems Methodology, is currently narrowly drawn whereas a broader perspective might assist different groups to accept trade-offs in the environmental area. The technical complexity and CATOWE diversity argue for a strategy supporting accommodation which has been substantially lacking in many stages of the process- particularly the critical stage of obtaining local approval for implementing a national strategy. Overall this preliminary evaluation suggests potential for systems scientists to apply their methodology to this intractable area of policy.
Description: The original publication is available at JAIST Press http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/index.html
IFSR 2005 : Proceedings of the First World Congress of the International Federation for Systems Research : The New Roles of Systems Sciences For a Knowledge-based Society : Nov. 14-17, 2018, Kobe, Japan
Symposium 2, Session 1 : Creation of Agent-Based Social Systems Sciences Systems Thinking and Applications
Language: ENG
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10119/3808
ISBN: 4-903092-02-X
Appears in Collections:IFSR 2005

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