Industriepolitik: Theoretische Grundlagen, Varianten und Herausforderungen

The article discusses the development of industrial policy on the basis of a quasi-historical typology. Four types are discussed: catching-up policy, restructuring policy, innovation policy and transition policy. Transition policy as a concept is still in its infant phase and is rooted in a number of discussions. Their common focus is the need to meet the so-called grand challenges and orchestrate the transition to a sustainable development path for economy and society. This requires a new understanding of the role of the state. Moving beyond ‘triple helix’ approaches, the state becomes an active participant in the interplay between a large number of social actors, ensuring that long-term goals of sustainable development guide everyone’s actions and are ultimately achieved. The manufacturing sector is of central importance for transition policy because of its contribution to technological innovation and its role in industrial relations and processes of income distribution.