Over de ontologische politiek van rechtvaardig transitiebeleid

The concept of Just Transitions poses a significant challenge to social sciences due to its contested nature and multifaceted interpretations. This thesis draws on the 'ontological turn' in social sciences, employing a post-structuralist approach to examine the ontological politics inherent in the formulation and implementation of just transition policies. The European Union's Just Transition Mechanism serves as the primary object of study, offering a concrete policy framework for analysis. This research investigates how the Just Transition Mechanism, as a policy instrument, transcends mere reflection of existing realities to actively shape and create distinct ontological landscapes. It explores the mechanism's role in forming new objects and subjects within the socio-economic and environmental policy domain. By scrutinizing the discursive practices and power dynamics at play, this study illuminates the processes through which certain realities, objects, and subjects are not only brought into existence but also privileged, while others are marginalized or excluded from the policy narrative. Through this analysis, the thesis contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how the ontological dimensions of policy-making profoundly influence both the conceptualization and implementation of just transitions. It reveals the interplay between language, power structures, and the construction of reality in the context of transition policies. This approach offers valuable insights into the ontological implications of policy making, challenging conventional understandings of policy impacts and opening new avenues for critical policy analysis in the field of just transitions.