ABSTRACT
These complicated processes and requirements, which are necessary for participation in democratic systems, can be particularly clearly observed in the international climate negotiations. Accordingly, there has been an increase in the number ofpublications that address the question of democracy in connection with solving the climate problem (Shearman and Wayne Smith 2009; Welzer et al. 2010; Saretzki 2011). Some sketch out the domain ofthe problem and point
out existing difficulties, while others attempt to address the generalized attribution of guilt in democratic systems asweIl as the associated lobbying activity and selective representation ofinterests. Still others enthusiastically praise authoritarian climate regimes. The latter generally do not lead anywhere, as the analyses are generally superficial and draw premature conclusions. Democratic systems cannot be blamed for climate change per se (and if so, only to the extent that they have been slow to respond), but nor can authoritarian systems solve the climate issue. Rather, it makes more sense to cancern ourselves with practical prospects for participation and obstructions in democratic systems and the identification ofalternatives (Leggewie 2011).
