Technologies of Discontinuation: Towards Transformative Policies

Technologies of Discontinuation examines how governments and other decision-makers can manage the phase-out of unsustainable technologies and systems. Providing helpful strategies and pathways, expert authors shed light on how the discontinuation of an incumbent regime can be governed in practice. Technologies of Discontinuation examines how governments and other decision-makers can manage the phase-out of unsustainable technologies and systems. Providing helpful strategies and pathways, expert authors shed light on how the discontinuation of an incumbent regime can be governed in practice. Employing comparative case studies, the authors identify recurring patterns, strategies and challenges in discontinuation processes. While innovation policy often focuses on supporting new solutions, they argue that effective transformation also requires deliberately ending harmful or obsolete socio-technical regimes. Chapters demonstrate how political leadership, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder mobilisation shape outcomes, and highlight how resistance and setbacks can be managed. The book concludes by emphasizing that discontinuation is not accidental or market-driven, but a governable process. Scholars and students of science and technology studies, and innovation will find the insights into sustainable transitions and transformative innovation policy invaluable. Policymakers and practitioners seeking to design credible transition strategies will also benefit from this comprehensive guide.