The Future is Now. The German Political Discourse on Intergenerational Responsibility and Justice in the Face of Climate Change. A Critical Discourse Analysis

The broad geographical scope of anthropogenic climate change is largely undisputed; its temporal dimension, however, plays a far less prominent role in political discourses and scientific research. In order to contribute to awareness raising and knowledge production, this thesis explores the German political discourse on intergenerational climate justice over the past three decades. From a critical discourse studies perspective and based on an innovative theoretical approach merging the established politicisation and securitisation frameworks, the key findings can be structured around four overlapping phases: extrinsic polarisation (1990-1998), lethargic leadership (1998-2005), competing crises (2005-2013) and forced clarity (2013-2021). The analysis of qualitative election manifesto data revealed the important role of issue ownership parties, most notably the Greens, as both driving and, to a lesser extent, impeding forces. Over time, their successful politicisation and securitisation moves led to a de-ideologisation regarding the diagnosis, hence to the general recognition of climate change as an urgent, existential question. Political responses, however, continued to follow historical lines of conflict dividing ideological camps. Whereas intergenerational responsibility and justice have reached largely independent status for parties on the left side of the political spectrum, the issue remained subordinated to economical, social and religious considerations for centre-right parties. This is particularly true for the liberal FDP as it faces a special dilemma referred to as liberal exceptionalism: to reconcile a fundamental, liberty-driven concern for the rights and prosperity of future generations with the long-standing co-responsibility of neo-liberal economics for environmental degradation. The findings of this thesis may benefit researchers and policy-makers alike in their efforts to analyse, understand and shape long-needed, radically future-oriented political discourses.