Climate change policy: Why Germany leads and the United States lags

Why is climate change a top priority on the political agenda in Germany and not a top priority on the political agenda in the United States? This study seeks to answer this question by examining the evolution of climate change policy in both countries. Analyzing Germany\u27s and America\u27s environmental movement, the thesis points to several theories which include the European Union and cultural values. However, it is the nations\u27 political structures/institutions and their post WWII foreign policy views that most determine where climate change policy stands on each country\u27s political agenda. The analysis concludes with a possible outlook on America\u27s environmental leadership