Introductory description

The Energy Security module aims to provide students with an understanding of the critical role of energy security in contemporary society, and the complex factors that influence it. Energy is fundamental to modern economies, and the availability of reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is essential for economic growth, social well-being, and political stability. However, the growing demand for energy, coupled with environmental concerns and geopolitical risks, creates significant challenges for energy security.

The module will explore the key drivers of energy security, including geopolitical factors, economic considerations, environmental issues, and technological advancements. It will examine the different types of energy sources and their relative merits, as well as the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy in enhancing energy security. Students will also explore the global governance of energy security, including the roles of international institutions and cooperation, and the challenges of balancing national interests and global priorities.

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 – Introduction to Energy Politics
Week 2 - Energy security and geopolitics: Core theories and perspectives
Week 3 – Energy Governance and International Regimes
Week 4 – Energy Trilemma and Climate Change
Week 5 – The Resource Curse: Energy, Development, Democracy and Conflict
Week 6 – The Reading Week
Week 7 – Energy Hotspots: USA – Middle East
Week 8 – Energy Hotspots: Europe – Eurasia
Week 9 – Energy Hotspots: China – Africa
Week 10 –Future of Energy: Renewables and Energy Transitions

Learning outcomes

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

• have an advanced understanding of the complex role energy security plays as a key component of energy policy.
• assess and critique the significance of current security considerations of global and regional energy markets
• evaluate the trade-offs involved in energy policies of nation states
• critically analyse different perspectives and concepts in energy security and apply them to specific case studies around the world

Indicative reading list

Bhagat, G.”Oil producers’ perspectives on energy security” International handbook of energy security, 2013, p. 258-272
Bordoff, J., Deshpande, M., & Noel, P. (2009). Understanding the interaction between energy security and climate change policy. Energy security: economics, politics, strategies, and implications, 209-248.
Borgerson, S. (2008) “Arctic Meltdown: the Economic and Security Implications of Global Warming,” Foreign Affairs 87(2): 63-77
Cherp, A., and J. Jewell. 2014. The concept of energy security: Beyond the four As. Energy Policy 75:415–21.
Colgan, J. D. (2014). Oil, domestic politics, and international conflict. Energy Research & Social Science, 1, 198-205.
Collier, P. (2010). The plundered planet: Why we must--and how we can--manage nature for global prosperity. Oxford University Press.
Correlje, A., & Van der Linde, C. (2006). Energy supply security and geopolitics: A European perspective. Energy Policy, 34(5), 532-543.
Elkind, J. (2010). Energy security: call for a broader agenda. Energy security: economics, politics, strategies, and implications, 119-148.
Fearon, J. (2005) “Primary Commodity Exports and Civil War” Journal of Conflict Resolution 49(4): 483-507.
Florini, A., & Sovacool, B. K. (2011). Bridging the gaps in global energy governance. Global Governance, 57-74.
Friedman, T. “The First Law of Petropolitics,” Foreign Affairs 154 (May June 2006): pp. 28-36.
Goldthau, A. (Ed.). (2016). The handbook of global energy policy. John Wiley & Sons.
Jewell, J., A. Cherp, and K. Riahi. 2014. Energy security under de-carbonization scenarios: An assessment framework and evaluation under different technology and policy choices. Energy Policy
Kaplan, R. (2011) “The South China Sea Is the Future of Conflict,” Foreign Policy, Sept-Oct.
Karl, T. L. (1999) “The Perils of the Petro-State: Reflections on the Paradox of Plenty,” Journal of International Affairs 53(1): 31-48.
Klare, M.. “Petroleum Anxiety and the Militarization of Energy Security,” in Moran and Russell, eds. ES&GP, pp. 39-61.
Kuzemko, C., Goldthau, A., & Keating, M. (2017). The global energy challenge: Environment, development and security. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Luft, G., & Korin, A. (2009). Energy security challenges for the 21st century: a reference handbook. ABC-CLIO.
Nivola, P., & Carter, E. (2010). Making sense of “energy independence”. Energy Security: Economics, Politics, Strategies and Implications. Washington: The Brookings Institution, 105-118.
Öge, K. (2021). Understanding pipeline politics in Eurasia: Turkey’s transit security in natural gas. Geopolitics, 26(5), 1510-1532.
Peters, Susanne and Westphal Kirsten "Global energy supply: scale, perception and return to geopolitics" International handbook of energy security, 2013. p. 92-113
Ross, M. (2001) “Does Oil Hinder Democracy?” World Politics 53: 325-361.
Ross, M. (2004) “How Do Natural Resources Influence Civil War? Evidence from Thirteen Cases,” International Organization 58:35-67.
Sachs, J.D. and Warner,A. M. (1997) “Natural Resource Abundance and Economic Growth,” NBER Working Paper 5398.
Victor, D. G., & Yueh, L. (2010). The new energy order: Managing insecurities in the twenty-first century. Foreign Affairs, 61-73.
Yergin, D. (1990) The Prize. Penguin
Yergin, D., (2011). The quest: energy, security, and the remaking of the modern world. Penguin.
Zweig, D., & Jianhai, B. (2005). China's global hunt for energy. Foreign affairs, 25-38.

Subject specific skills

1. Understand the essential role energy security plays as a key component of energy policy.
2. Assess the significance of the security considerations of global and regional energy markets
3. Analyse the trade-offs involved in energy policies of nation states
4. Compare different perspectives in energy security and apply them to specific case studies around the world

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