  Galactic outflows can be powered either by nuclear starbursts (SB) or active
galactic nuclei (AGN). It has been argued that extreme starbursts can power
extreme outflows, without the need to invoke AGN feedback. However,
contributions from past and/or hidden AGN activity cannot be ruled out. Here,
we constrain the potential role of the central black hole in driving powerful
outflows in starburst galaxies (with no sign of ongoing AGN activity). We
examine whether the galactic outflows can be explained by AGN luminosity
evolution in the framework of our AGN `radiative dusty feedback' scenario. We
show that the outflow energetics of starburst galaxies in the local Universe
can be quantitatively reproduced by power-law and exponential luminosity
decays, coupled with radiation trapping. Likewise, a combination of heavy
obscuration and mild luminosity decay may account for the energetics of
galactic outflows observed in dusty star-forming galaxies in the early
Universe. We discuss different physical arguments for SB vs. AGN
outflow-driving, and conclude that the latter can have a major impact on the
evolution of galaxies.
