Energy and Geopolitics

by Per Högselius

The idea that energy shapes and is shaped by geopolitics is firmly rooted in the popular imagination - and not without reason. Very few countries have the means to secure their energy needs through locally available supplies; instead, enduring dependencies upon other countries have developed. Given energy's strategic significance, supply systems for fuels and electricity are now seamlessly interwoven with foreign policy and global politics.

Energy and Geopolitics enables students to enhance their understanding and sharpen their analytical skills with respect to the complex relations between energy supply, energy markets and international politics. Per H�gselius guides us through the complexities of world energy and international energy relations, examining a wide spectrum of fossil fuels, alongside nuclear and renewable energies. Uniquely, the book also shows how the geopolitics of energy is not merely a matter for the great powers and reveals how actors in the world's smaller nations are as active in their quest for power and control.

Encouraging students to apply a number of central concepts and theoretical ideas to different energy sources within a multitude of geographical, political and historical contexts, this book will be a vital resource to students and scholars of geopolitics, energy security and international environmental policy and politics.

202 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2018

Reviews

[Erik Champenois · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the intersections between energy and geopolitics, with chapters organized thematically by covering international energy systems, the actors in control of energy, energy dependence, and managing energy in a geopolitical context. Covers worldwide energy systems, including coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and renewables, with somewhat of an emphasis on Europe. Helps one to see how energy dependencies are usually transnational (and not one-sided) in nature: one country's dependence on energy imports is another country's dependence on energy exports. The author optimistically considers such dependencies as useful in moving the world towards more peaceful and integrated systems.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a bad overview discussing how energy is leveraged for good or evil so nations can achieve their political goals. Many of the subjects in the book are topics that come up in the industry. I read Energy and Geopolitics as a school assigned book. It's helpful to understand which countries consume more or less of a energy source and how they are connected to countries that harvest those particular resources. However, I found nothing too mind blowing about the subject material.