INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SECURITY OF ENERGY SUPPLY: RISKS TO CONTINUITY AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS

Abstract

The unequal distribution of the world’s natural resources is a longstanding problem. In comparative terms, nature has served Europe meagrely when it comes to energy resources. In the face of ever-rising demand, the exhaustion of domestic resources and rising import dependency due are the logical consequence. The key question is the following: Is such import dependency just another part of the global division of labour creating mutual benefits for exporting and importing countries alike, or does this situation constitute a strategic threat to European independence and economic growth? This paper proposes to assess this question in seven chapters. Following the Introduction, Chapter 2 will assess the state and security of European energy supplies in the international context. Chapter 3 will provide a conceptual framework for addressing security of supply issues. Chapter 4 will discuss developments in a number of important geopolitical (OPEC, Russia, the United States) that are likely to have a major influence on the security of energy supplies in Europe. Chapter 5 will discuss a number of intra-European issues likely to have a bearing on the demand and supply of energy. Chapter 6 will make a number of concrete proposals that policymakers can adopt now to improve the security of European energy supplies. Chapter 7 will conclude.