Energy Studies in the Theory of International Relations

Politics of energy have been a key area of international relations studies since the oil crisis of 1970ies. The  theoretical framework of energy research is still dominated by neorealism, which focuses on the role of state actors and their interests in terms of energy security. Military aspects of energy politics are by far the main area of interest of the neorealist school, represented by M.Klare, J. Russell, D. Moran etc. “Resource nationalism” is another issue analyzed by scholars inspired by neorealism. Some neorealist researchers use the geopolitical framework to study energy policy. The neoliberal school, represented by A. Goldthau, J.M.Witte, C. Fettweis and others, looks into the role of institutions, international cooperation and liberal markets. Unlike neorealists, neoliberals suppose that international energy markets provide the necessary conditions for peaceful cooperation and global governance. However, as an alternative to this “neo-neo” debate, several new theoretical approaches are becoming increasingly popular among energy policy researchers. For instance, the constructivist school provides an interesting insight into the role of perceptions and ideas in the energy sphere. Neomarxist and international political economy theories are also used to analyzing energy policy issues. A large number of scholars, both in Russia and abroad, prefer a combined approach based on elements of various theories. Combined analytical frameworks have been developed by such leading Western researchers as D.Yergin, A.Korin and G.Luft, as well as many Russian scholars, including N.Simonia, N.Mironov and S.Zhiznin.

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