CSS 2023 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Conceptualized Energy’s Influence on World’s Geopolitics and its Distinctiveness of Global Energy Governance
The following question of CSS Current Affairs 2023 is solved by Sir Ammar Hashmi, the best Current Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown:
The following question sheds light on the ongoing global energy politics and how they are responsible for shaping global governance. The answer focuses on the key players who are involved in global energy politics. Moreover, it also talks about the nexus between climate change and global energy geopolitics.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Understanding the relevance of energy and geopolitics
3-How does energy influence geopolitics?
- ✓Great power competition
- ✓Technological advancement
- ✓Energy security as national security
- ✓Climate change
- ✓Energy-based alliances
4-Factors that distinguish the geopolitics of energy from global energy governance
- ✓Global powers influence
- ✓Strategic cooperation for energy security
- ✓Resource control
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
In the contemporary era, as the bedrock of national economic development and security, energy plays a significant role in shaping geopolitical dynamics. To illustrate, the importance of energy security in protecting national interests has made it a substantial ingredient of great power competition. Similarly, the ongoing technological advancement and the shift toward digitalization necessitate the availability of energy on a large scale, revolutionizing the geopolitical importance of energy. Furthermore, the climate-driven vulnerability of the global energy supply chain, combined with the accelerating transition to renewable energy, is shifting geopolitical alliances. Moreover, energy security is increasingly perceived as a national security concern amid geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia- Ukraine war and the US- China rivalry. However, the influence of energy on contemporary geopolitics, catalyzed by national interests, strategic dynamics, and control of resources, distinguishes it from global energy governance.
Understanding the relevance of energy and geopolitics
Energy and geopolitics are intertwined concepts that shape a country’s standing in the international political arena. However, the advancement in technology and urgency of decarbonization have greatly emphasized the role of energy in formulating contemporary geopolitical dynamics. Similarly, Daniel Yergin further elaborates on the importance of energy in his book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. According to the author, the dramatic shift in energy sources and acquisition process will change the course of geopolitics, altering economies, societies, and international relations.
How energy Influences geopolitics
- Great power competition
Energy is a significant ingredient of great power competition. The hegemonic tendencies of great powers revolve around controlling energy resources and weaponizing the distribution of energy. Thus, energy has acquired a strategic importance in the pursuit of geopolitical goals. For instance, Russia has recently tilted towards China to diversify its gas exports and enhance its geopolitical influence. On the other hand, the country halted its gas supply to European countries, manoeuvring its geopolitical significance. In addition, the United States- China competition over access to critical minerals for future global influence highlights the importance of energy in the geopolitical arena.
- Technological advancement
The rapid technological advancements shaping geopolitics have garnered significant attention towards energy security. Recent developments, including industry automation, digitalization, and the electrification of transportation, have underscored the growing need for energy. Similarly, the innovation of Photovoltaic cells has opened a grand stage for competition, leveraging renewable energy to achieve geopolitical objectives. In addition, the increasing number of data centres around the world has increased the requirement and consumption of energy. Hence, technological proliferation and energy security are closely intertwined, influencing geopolitics.
- Energy security as national security
In the era of heightened geopolitical tensions, energy security is increasingly viewed as a crucial component of national security. For instance, energy is the bedrock of economic development. The Increasing vulnerability of energy imports to geopolitical conflicts undermines the sovereignty of import-based economies. Therefore, energy influences geopolitics in partnering with like-minded countries to enhance supply chain resilience. For example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has greatly reduced the gas supply to Europe, forcing it to find new alternatives. Thus, in 2022, the European Union (EU) introduced its REPowerEU plan to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. The plan also emphasizes the diversification of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports from the United States (US) and Qatar, reducing reliance on Russia.
- Climate change
The vulnerability of the energy supply chain to climate-induced disasters underscores the importance of securing energy needs. Thus, climate change formulates energy security as a significant geopolitical objective. Energy security is both a strategic and an environmental imperative. For example, climate-sponsored decarbonization efforts challenge the hegemony of Petro-states. As a result, fossil exporters tend to increase their exports by offering lower prices, thereby extending their geopolitical significance. In addition, the protectionist policies of the United States (US) and European Union (EU) regarding China’s renewable energy exports reflect the geopolitical importance of Energy.
- Energy-based alliances
The growing number of energy-based alliances further underscores the geopolitical significance of energy. Energy plays a crucial role in shaping relationships to diversify market access and foster strategic partnerships for geopolitical gain. The Power of Siberia Pipeline Project initiated in 2019 between Russia and China has yielded greater geopolitical significance for both countries. Similarly, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) regulates oil supply and prices, which member states manipulate to exert their geopolitical influence.
Factors that distinguish the geopolitics of energy from global energy governance
- Global powers influence
While global energy governance focuses on equitable distribution and cooperation, the major powers compete to influence their rivals. The contemporary geopolitical dynamics of energy are influenced by major international powers to pursue their hegemonic objectives. For example, Russia utilizes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) to maintain its geopolitical dominance in the international oil market. Similarly, China finances energy projects through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to enhance its regional influence, thereby challenging the presence of the United States (US).
- Strategic cooperation for energy security
Although global energy governance promotes consensus building and collaboration for a steady flow of energy supply, the geopolitical use of energy undermines these principles. To illustrate, in the contemporary era of fractured geopolitics, cooperation for energy thrives by strategic ambitions between like-minded states. For example, due to the Russia- Ukraine war, the European Union reevaluated its energy dependency and shifted its focus towards the United States (US). Similarly, Russia has shifted its focus towards non-Western partners to maintain its geopolitical influence.
- Resource control
Unlike the notion of democratization and sustainability of energy promoted by global energy governing bodies, the geopolitics of energy thrives on securing control of resources. For instance, China’s increasing investment in Africa is motivated by access to critical minerals necessary for renewable energy systems. Similarly, the Polar Silk Road Initiative, a joint effort by China and Russia, and their growing military presence in the Arctic region underscore their tendency to control resource-rich areas. In addition, the United States’ military bases in Bahrain and Qatar further underscore its global power ambitions to influence regional oil resources. Moreover, the South China Sea dispute is a glaring example of power politics for resource control.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the geopolitical influence of energy has been galvanized at the expense of great power politics to achieve their strategic ambitions. In addition, rapid technological advancements further fuel the need for energy, making it a geopolitical objective. Additionally, climate change plays a substantial role in shaping the geopolitics of energy through access to new sources. However, the geopolitics of energy is ignited by power politics, strategic cooperation, and resource control. Notwithstanding these incentives, global energy governance prioritizes collaboration, consensus-building, and equitable energy distribution, regardless of political divergence.
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