Energy and the Transformation of International Relations

With energy security at the top of the global agenda, this book looks at the development of a new producer-consumer framework. As global energy markets evolve to take account of new players, scarcity of traditional energy sources, and environmental concerns, the authors ask what impact this evolving framework will have on international relations.

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With energy security at the top of the global agenda, this book examines the development of a new producer-consumer framework. As the era of cheap energy comes to an end, Asia's demand for energy increases, and concerns over climate change increase, it is clear that the old framework is no longer sustainable in this new era. This book examines the evolving relations between the key producers (Middle East, Russia, Latin America, and Africa) and traditional consumers such as the US and Europe, and new consumers such as China and India as they adjust to the changing marketplace and political realities.

At the centre of the book is the key question of how dynamics in the global energy market affect the nature of international relations. It is argued that while conflict over resources is possible, there are many opportunities for international cooperation over energy resources. Although coal, oil, and gas will define energy usage for the foreseeable future, greater efficiency and alternative sources of energy will play an important role in shaping the new producer-consumer framework.