La serie “Theseus Papers”, a cura del Centro Studi Theseus del Politecnico di Torino, pubblica working papers scientifici e contributi di policy che offrono una prospettiva innovativa sulle interazioni tra tecnologia, scienze sociali e discipline umanistiche.
La sezione dedicata ai research papers offre a studiose e studiosi uno spazio per la pubblicazione di working papers, selezionati attraverso un rigoroso processo interno che comprende la presentazione in un seminario Theseus. La sezione dedicata ai policy paper consente invece a ricercatrici e ricercatori di riflettere sulle implicazioni politiche e normative di lavori accademici già pubblicati.
Tutti i contributi sono sottoposti a un processo di peer review e a una valutazione editoriale da parte dell’Editorial Board.
Editors: Roberto Lalli e Francesco Nicoli
Editorial Board: Isabella Consolati, Alvise Mattozzi, Stefano Sacchi, Giuseppe Tipaldo, Vera Tripodi
- Merve Butorac, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
- Roberto Lalli, Politecnico di Torino
- Francesco Nicoli, Politecnico di Torino
Abstract
Europe’s search for resilient and geopolitically secure energy sources has renewed interest in nuclear technologies, including fusion. This paper examines the political conditions under which nuclear investments can remain socially and institutionally sustainable. Drawing on experimental survey evidence from six European countries, we identify the institutional and economic features that most strongly shape public acceptance. Political feasibility depends less on technology choice per se than on governance, energy sovereignty, and consumer costs. Fusion benefits from a modest legitimacy advantage and represents the least politically constrained pathway to sustain European nuclear capabilities. However, durable support requires embedding nuclear development within credible public and European oversight frameworks, reducing external supply dependencies, and ensuring visible benefits for consumers, particularly through electricity affordability. Careful siting and realistic communication are also essential. Nuclear policy should therefore be designed as an institutional and distributive strategy, aligning technological development with credible governance.