Control of power: the political economy of electric-utility development in the US

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6516995

McGuire, P W

This work examines the processes by which the dominant relations of production are reproduced and the dominant social order maintained amidst the conflicts and contradictions of capitalism. The specific subject of analysis is the changing relationships and dynamics of the various electric utility firms and associated organizations. The development of the industry is traced from the initial development of commodifiable electric devices through regulation, consolidation, and the Great Crash. The work relies on secondary sources drawn from numerous disciplines, government agencies, industry sources, and the accounts of central social actors. This consideration of the early history of an industry which is such a crucial underpinning of 20th century economic development, provides a springboard for reevaluation of the prevailing instrumental and structural theories of social-economic control and change. There are 4 basic concerns in each time frame: (1) competition among privately-owned firms; (2) competition between privately - and publicly-owned firms; (3) interactions between industry and political agencies; and (4) interactions between industry and economic institutions.

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6516995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
ELECTRIC POWER
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POWER
PRODUCTION
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
USA