Introductory description

Energy remains one of the essential ingredients of modern life but how we produce, transport, market and use energy is politically contested – now more than ever. Indeed, the complex energy systems upon which we rely have already started to transition, partly for environmental and developmental reasons. Many policymakers, politicians and other organisations around the world are faced with the ‘Herculean’ task of engendering sustainable system change whilst, at the same time, ensuring secure and affordable access to energy. Others, in countries highly reliant on energy income, need to address the geo-economic implications of change.

This module explores the complex politics of energy, the relationship between policy and energy systems, and the many different perspectives on energy policy, its aims and instruments. It uses case studies (Russia and the EU) to demonstrate some of these complexities. The overall aim is to equip students with sufficient understanding, analytical tools, to critically evaluate energy policy and politics.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: Historical Backdrop: Energy Systems, Politics & Society
Week 2: The Energy Trilemma
Week 3: Political Perspectives: HOW to Govern Energy
Week 4: Who Governs Energy?
Week 5: Energy Systems Transitions: Implications for Policy & Politics
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Energy Policy in Action I: Transition Leaders Case Study: the EU
Week 8: Energy Policy in Action: Transition Less in Focus. Case Study: Russia
Week 9: Energy Policy in Action III: Rescaling?
Week 10: Tensions, Challenges & Possible Futures

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify and discuss energy’s role in modern society, and how this relates to energy policy and politics;
• Identify and analyse the key political perspectives on energy, and associated policy choices;
• Apply political perspectives to analyse the main institutions and actors involved in energy policymaking;
• Evaluate and critically assess energy policies, and how they relate to changes in energy systems.

Indicative reading list

Core:
Kuzemko, C.; Keating, M.; Goldthau, A. (2016) The Global Energy Challenge: Environment, Development & Security. London & New York: Palgrave Macmillan (Chapter 2: Evolution and Dynamics of the World Energy System)

Bridge, G.; Barr, S.; Bouzarovski, S.; Bradshaw, M.; Brown, E.; Bulkeley, H.; Walker, G. (2018) Energy and Society: A critical perspective. London: Routledge (Chapter 9: Past transitions)

Fouquet, R. (2012) ‘Past and prospective energy transitions: Insights from history’, Energy Policy 50, 1-7.

Further Reading:
Bridge, G. (2009) ‘Material worlds: Natural resources, resource geography and the material economy’, Geography Compass 3:3, 1217-1244.

Crosby, A. W. (2014) Children of the Sun: A history of humanity’s unappeasable appetite for energy.

Kuzemko, C. (2013) The energy security-climate nexus: Institutional change in the UK and beyond. London & New York: Palgrave Macmillan. (Chapter 3: Historical Context, Ideas & Political Practice)

Kuzemko, C.; Keating, M.; Goldthau, A. (2016) The Global Energy Challenge: Environment, Development & Security. London & New York: Palgrave Macmillan (Chapter 3: The Political Economy of Energy).

Mitchell, T. (2013) Carbon Democracy. London: Verso Books.

Sovacool, B. (2014) ‘What are we doing here: Analysing fifteen years of energy scholarship and proposing a social science agenda’, Energy Research & Social Science 1.

Strange, S. (1998) States & Markets. London: Bloomsbury (Chapter 9: Energy)

Yergin, D. (1991) The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power. New York: Free Press.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Ability to understand and discuss energy’s role in modern society, and how this relates to energy policy and politics
Identify and analyse the key political perspectives on energy, and associated policy choices
Apply political perspectives to analyse the main institutions and actors involved in energy policymaking
Evaluate and critically assess energy policies, and how they relate to changes in energy systems

Transferable skills

Critical analytical skills
Ability to write cohesively about complex political subjects
Presentation and communications skills
Specific knowledge about energy, sustainability and policy
Ability to understand and engage with energy policy debates
Informed citizen