A Novel Analytical Framework

In this chapter we present a novel analytical framework designed to both illuminate and explain East Asia’s distinctive approach to the green energy shift—and to predict its most likely future trajectory. Our approach is distinctive because it pays serious attention to both state ambitions and capitalist market dynamics—and the symbiotic relationship between the two. Our framework synthesizes and extends cutting-edge Schumpeterian and developmental state theorizing to produce a comprehensive explanation of the drivers, dynamics, and direction of Northeast Asia’s green energy transition. We also explain how our framework—centred on developmental environmentalism—relates to existing concepts like green growth (popularized in South Korea) and Ecological Civilization (popularized in China).