ENERGY POLITICS

Rising Powers redrawing the Global Politics of Resources

Rising Powers redrawing the Global Politics of Resources

Introduction

The economic and political development of many countries throughout the world depends on the contribution of global politics of resources. Countries, which are blessed, with the power of natural resources consider it as an asset for their economic development. Political developments can occur simultaneously with economic development. However, the countries with natural resources tend to move forward with speed. As Arab countries have a natural resource of oil in a substantial amount, but their resistance towards democracy restricts the purpose development. Such powers negatively influences the political development in such a way that availability of the resource is not enough, but the methods followed by the State regarding extraction of such resources matters a lot (Ishiyama & Breuning, 2010, p.393).

The concepts of energy and politics are interconnected to each other. The ability of the country to make energy available for use and the way of using it determine its economic level, national security, and its environment's quality. The export of energy should not be mixed with the foreign relations. EU and U.S often warned such states who are doing so. EU and U.S are concerned to implement the lawful foreign policy concerning the use of energy (Shaffer, 2011, p. 1-2).

Discussion

Relationship between Energy and Politics

The use of energy influences the overall international system of a country including its structure. Such as, oil is a global commodity which makes its usage as an element of interdependency. The demand of oil on behalf of each country will affect the quantity supplied which ensures availability and the price for all consumers. Energy also gives a way in creating a link between the states' domestic and foreign policies. The change in climate, prices of energy, and matter of energy availability as a result of use of hydrocarbon domestically. This makes domestic consumption habits and policies regarding energy, a great concern to international political interests. The conflicts on the supply and availability of natural resources among various countries are common. The concept of 'Peace pipelines' is emphasized by the policymakers of U.S and EU. This concept states that the pipeline of either oil or natural gas routed between the countries that have conflicts, in order to obtain peaceful means of achieving the purpose of making resources available throughout the countries. However, the infrastructures of energy export policies are not considering the conflict as a matter to resolve. The smooth supply of energy resources among states requires a positive approach towards cooperation and stable relations. If countries do not maintain stable relations, then it can cause them to payoff in a long term manner. Such risks are experienced by former Soviet Union. The supply of oil by the oil exporters may be prohibited by the government to certain countries like from U.S to Iran. However, despite having anti-U.S rhetoric by Venezuela, U.S is still exporting oil to Caracas (Shaffer, 2011, 3-4).

Concept of Energy Security

The security of energy is becoming a core part ...