Module

EÖTVÖS LORÁND TUDOMÁNYEGYETEM

Major level: International relations, bachelor's program

Tárgynév: Energy Security and Geopolitics at International Relations

Tárgykód:

Tárgyfelelős neve: Floros Flouros

Tárgy követelménye:

Tárgy heti óraszáma:

Tantárgy tartalma:

COURSE OVERVIEW

The main scope of this Module is to give an overall view of topics related to Energy and its security
in the international arena, with a focus on contemporary aspects of Energy Security at the nation-
state level. It is necessary to understand that the security of the global environment is continuously
changing especially from the beginning of the new century; there are new factors and parameters as
part of the security concept that affect contribute the contemporary challenges that security
confronts.

COURSE FORMAT

In this module, students are expected to study and learn the important topics related to Energy
Security at the country level and under the lens of International Political Economy. Each week, a
different thematic topic will be presented and a discussion in the class is expected to take place; thus,
it is important that students are aware of the subject in each week’s seminar and they are actively
participating in the class. It is necessary that students are involved in the preparation process. For
each week, a presentation file related to the subject discussed and presented in the class will be
uploaded in the course’s coospace page [www.coospace.talk.elte.hu]. The syllabus provides the
detailed overview of the course, together with the proposed bibliography. Both mandatory and
recommended readings will be proposed and indicated.

Számonkérési és értékelési rendszere:

REQUIREMENTS

Class Participation (15 points): it is important that students are prepared in advance and they
participate in the class with an active attitude. Interactive learning process and discussion in the class
are encouraged.

Reflection paper (25 points): A reflection paper on a contemporary topic related to Energy Security
will be required from each student to submit. There would be several topics proposed and each
student can chose one of his/her interest. The length of the paper would be two pages (max), in which
a critical approach and opinion of the student will be expected.

Final Essay (60 points): Students are required to prepare and submit 2-3,000 word essay regarding
a topic that will be previously communicated and approved by the module instructor. Guidance and
details related to the structure of the essay will be given in the first class. Deadline of submission
will be announced in due time.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Lecture 1: Introduction and Definitions

This lecture will provide students with an introduction about the module and its structure. Reference
and explanation of the basic terms and definitions are necessary to be discussed and understood.
Definitions and assumptions. Main terminology such as energy, security, energy security, national
security, nation-state, natural resources, environment at different versions, International Political
Economy.

Mandatory Reading: This syllabus.

Lecture 2: International Relations Theory and Energy

Review of basic theories in International Relations. Contemporary Approaches of International

Political Economy (IPE). The IPE Dimensions. Adoption of the proper theory to examine and study
issues related to energy and natural resources. Historical Incidents related to Energy. Oil in
international affairs during and after WW II.

Mandatory Reading:

Waltz, K. 1979. Theory of International Politics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley [Törzsszám

[000901269] at aleph.elte.hu]

Morgenthau, H. (2005). “A Realist theory of International Relations” in Politics among Nations:

The Struggle for Power and Peace. New York: McGraw-Hill Education [UD 237.001 at
aleph.elte.hu].

Freyberg-Inan, A. 2004. What moves Man: The Realist Theory of International Relations and its
Judgement of Human Nature. NY: State University of New York.

Strange, S. 1994. States and markets. London: Pinter.

Recommended Readings:

Guzzini, S. 2003. Realism in International Relations and International Political Economy. London:
Routledge.

Thucydides. 1998. The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to The Peloponnesian War,
ed. R.B. Strasser. New York: Touchstone.

Waltz, K. 1991. “Realist Thought and Neorealist Thought” in Robert Rothstein (ed), The Evolution
of Theory in International Relations. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, 21-38.

Lecture 3: Energy and Natural Resources

Energy System Diagram and types of Energy: Electrical, Mechanical, Thermal (Heat), Chemical,
Nuclear, Radiant, Wind, Air, Solar.
Natural Resources. Critical natural resources and country owner. Examples of the Resource Curse,
Oil Curse, the Dutch disease. IOC, NOCs. Energy Poverty and Sustainable Development.

Mandatory Reading:

S.F. Krishna-Hensel (ed). New Security Frontiers: Critical Energy and the Resource Challenge.
Surrey: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Recommended Readings:

Gilpin, R. 2001. Global Political Economy: Understanding the International Economic Order, NJ:
Princeton University Press.

Kakanov, E., Blöchliger, H. Demmou, L. 2018. Resource Curse In Oil Exporting Countries
Economics. Department Working Papers No. 1511. OECD. ECO/WKP(2018)59.

Yergin, D. 1991. The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power. Simon and Schuster, New
York.

Lecture 4: Conceptual Framework of Energy Security (ES) vs Natural Security (NS)

Theoretical models for Energy Security. The National Security concept and parameters. The
conceptual framework. Energy Frames. Set of threats for energy security. Characteristics and
challenges for energy security. Stages for the design of conceptual framework. Implementation of
stages. Design of framework. A broad conceptual framework.

Mandatory Reading:

Sklias, P. Roukanas, S. And Floros, F. (ed). 2019. The Political Economy of National and Energy
Security. N.Y. Nova Science Publishers.

Recommended Readings:

IEA. 2018. World Energy Outlook 2018– Executive Summary [https://www.iea.org/weo2018/].

Wizner, C. 2012. Conceptualizing energy security. Energy Policy 46: 36-48.

Lecture 5: Thermodynamic approach of the function NS=f(ES)

Open and closed systems. Thermodynamic laws. Heisenberg’s Principle of Uncertainty. Systemic
approach for nation-states under the concept of IR. Nation-state and frameworks. New variables in
the equation of ES/NS. A different, fresh consideration of how systems and totals/summations may
respond to external forces.

Mandatory Reading:

Sklias, P. Roukanas, S. And Floros, F. (ed). 2019. The Political Economy of National and Energy
Security. N.Y. Nova Science Publishers.

Recommended Readings:

Bilgin, M. 2012. “Energy Transitions and International Security in the Twenty-first Century”. In
S.F. Krishna-Hensel (ed). New Security Frontiers: Critical Energy and the Resource Challenge.
Surrey: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Perry, R.H., Green, W.D. 2007. Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook, 8th ed. NY: McGraw Hill.

Lecture 6: Global Energy Environment and Trends

Historical and Global Data, Global GDP in relation to World Energy consumption. World Energy
projections in 2040. Evolution of the non-conventional fuels. Impacts of global megatrends on
resource systems. Technology and other game changers.

Mandatory Reading:

Pascual, C., Elkind, J. 2010. “Introduction”. In Pascual, C., Elkind, J. (ed), Energy Security:
Economics, Politics, Strategies and Implications, Washington: Brookings.

Recommended Readings:

Bhattacharyya, S., C. 2011. Energy Economics: Concepts, Issues, Markets and Governance.
London: Springer-Verlag.

Yergin, D. 1991. The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power. Simon and Schuster, New
York.

IEA. 2018. World Energy Outlook 2018– Executive Summary [https://www.iea.org/weo2018/].

Lecture 7: Energy and Institutions

Institutions linked with Energy issues: IEA, WTO, IMF, Word Bank, OECD, IEF, ECT

Databases for research and data analysis related to energy and energy security fields.

OPEC: before and now. Discussion about the future.

Mandatory Reading:

IEA. 2017. Energy Security. [http://www.iea.org/topics/energysecurity/]

OPEC. 2018. World Oil Outlook. [https://woo.opec.org/pdf-download/index.php]

https://www.energy.eu/directory/institutions.html

Recommended Readings:

Goldthau, A. Witte, J.M. 2016. The Role of Rules and Institutions in Global Energy: An Introduction.
Washington. Brookings Institution

Lecture 8: Energy Geopolitics and Diplomacy

Το understand topics linked with the importance of power in international politics and the design of
foreign policy of a nation-state in the regional, international and global level. Pipelines in Europe,
Eurasia, Middle East region. Crude Oil pipelines and Gas Corridors. NG and LNGs: comparison and
effects. Participant countries and stakeholders.

Mandatory Reading:

Pascual, C., Elkind, J. 2010. “Introduction”. In Pascual, C., Elkind, J. (ed), Energy Security:
Economics, Politics, Strategies and Implications, Washington: Brookings.

Recommended Readings:

Conant, M., and Gold, F. 1977. The Geopolitics of Energy. Washington DC: US Government.

Cowen, D., and Smith, N. 2009. After geopolitics? From the geopolitical social to geo-economics.
Antipode. 41 (1), 22-48.

Yergin, D. 1991. The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power. Simon and Schuster, New
York.
Lecture 9: Energy Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean region

East Mediterranean region and recent explorations of HydroCarbon [HxCy] developments. Energy
and Security at the agenda of the involved stakeholders. Opportunity or Threat for the region?
Discussion of two case studies: Cyprus and Israel.

Mandatory Reading:

Pascual, C., Elkind, J. 2010. “Introduction”. In Pascual, C., Elkind, J. (ed), Energy Security:
Economics, Politics, Strategies and Implications, Washington: Brookings.

Sklias, P. Roukanas, S. And Floros, F. (ed). 2019. The Political Economy of National and Energy
Security. N.Y. Nova Science Publishers.

Recommended Readings:

Darbouche, H., El-Katiri, L., Fattouh, B. 2012. East Mediterranean Gas: what kind of a game-
changer?. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. NG71.

Giamouridis, A. 2012. The Offshore Discovery in the Republic of Cyprus: Monetization Prospects
and Challenges. The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. NG65.

Lecture 10: Energy Geopolitics of Europe

Main actors in the European continent. Stakeholders and connecting lines. The Security of Europe
and the Institutions related to Energy issues. The role of Russia and US. The Energy Security plan
of Europe. Expectations and trends.

Mandatory Reading:

European Commission. 2018. European Energy Security Strategy

[https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-strategy-and-energy-union/energy-security-
strategy].

Recommended Readings:

Correlje A., Van der Linde, C. 2005. Energy supply security and geopolitics: A European
perspective. Energy Policy. 34: 532-543.
Szulecki, K. (Ed). 2018. Energy Security in Europe: Divergent Perceptions and Policy Challenges.
London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lecture 11: Energy and Climate Change

The importance of the relationship between Energy Systems and Climate Change. The effect of
energy policies of nations on the climate and global environment. Kyoto Protocol, Paris Protocol.
Major stakeholders associated with the O&G industry.

Mandatory Reading:

Kyoto Protocol [https://unfccc.int/process/the-kyoto-protocol]

The Paris Agreement [https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-

agreement]

Recommended Readings:

Rifkin, J. 2002. The hydrogen economy: the creation of the worldwide energy web and the
redistribution of power on earth. New York: J.P. Tarcher/Putnam.