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The International Politics of Energy

Key information

  • Module code:

    5SSPP208

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This module provides an introduction to the role of energy in developments in politics and international studies. The course introduces the main contemporary issues related to the energy sector in terms of the history and development of conventional and also renewable energy resources, and how the global governance of energy has evolved. Using case studies, challenges such as resource wars, the resource ‘curse’, and climate change will be examined as well as the links between energy policy and foreign policy. In doing so the importance of ideas, ideology and power relationships in determining national and international policy outcomes will be examined. How actors understand their energy security will also be considered(supply security, price security and environmental security). 

Assessment details

2-hour written exam (45%), 2,500-word essay (45%) & participation (10%)

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this module are to:  

  • enable students to understand and critically assess the importance of energy to developments in politics and international studies, with awareness of its regional and historical context;  

  • enable students to analyse the role of energy in international politics and the politics of international energy and environmental negotiations;  

  • introduce students to the concept of energy security and situate international energy policy and issues in theoretical debates in International Relations and International Political Economy;  

  • develop an understanding of how political institutions, the political environment, and the economic system interact and how energy policy is made at both the national and international levels.  

Teaching pattern

Provisional Lecture Schedule 

Part one: Introduction: Concepts, conflict and cooperation 

  1. International Energy Politics and Security (theory and concepts)  

  1. Conflict: Oil Embargoes and Resource Wars  

  1. Cooperation: International Energy Governance 

Part two: Country and regional case studies  

  1. Energy Security as National Security Strategy: The United States 

  1. Rentier States and the Resource Curse: Africa and the Gulf States 

  1. Energy Policy and Foreign Policy: Russia and China 

  1. Energy Policy as Normative Policy: The EU 

Part three: Environmental security and energy transitions 

  1. Climate Change governance and Environmental Security  

  1. A green future? Energy transitions 

  1. Current trends and future challenges: The role of nuclear and shale gas/oil.  

Suggested reading list

No textbook is ideal for this module, but some readings are from the following two books:

  • Kuzemko, C., Keating, M. F. and Goldthau, A. (2016) “The Global Energy Challenge: Environment, Development and Security”, Palgrave. There are 8 copies in the Franklin Wilkins library (HD9502.A2 KUZ), and some chapters have been digitised.
  • Van De Graaf, T. and Sovacool, B. K. (2020) Global Energy Politics, Polity

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.