Reinterpreting Locational Conflicts: NIMBY and nuclear waste management in Sweden

Starting with a description of national policies for nuclear energy and nuclear waste management in Sweden, the paper critically examines the conventional way of interpreting locational conflict with its explanation in terms of not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY). Analysing a very strong and enduring local conflict around the issue of nuclear waste management in Sweden, the paper ends with the conclusion that the local protest in this case should not be dismissed as a purely selfish reaction to a responsible policy in the public interest. Instead, the question is raised whether it may not well be the case that local protest groups, by bringing into focus the issue of the production of waste are contributing to a long-term responsible policy for stopping the production of any form of hazardous waste.