Chapter 24 Self-test questions

. Why, in the contemporary studies of security, is the subject of energy security so important?

There exists an array of contemporary challenges to energy security, ranging from resource scarcity concerns to dangers of political instability.

The existence of reliable supplies of energy determines the ability of a nation to achieve economic development.

Energy security encompasses a broad range of issues that are both contemporary and fundamental to security, ranging from the local and individual to the global scale.

All of the above

. How can we define energy security?

To achieve energy security is to ensure that there are currently sufficient energy resources to sustain the current consumption and demand for energy across the globe.

Energy security refers to the ability of the current energy supplies to meet the demands of state military consumption, placing the military at the core of the security paradigm.

To achieve energy security is to secure the supply of energy that is needed in the current context and in the future, with regard to foreseeable changes in demand where relevant.

Energy security refers to the ability of individuals, economic and non-state actors to access the energy required for sustaining their growth and development.

. Which of the following security sectors are intrinsically linked with energy security?

Economic and development security

Regime and international security

Environmental and human security

All of the above

. Given current patterns of industrial development, what are the future prospects for energy security?

Whilst energy consumption is correlated to levels of industrialization, developed states of the North continue to increase their demands for energy. This is balanced by a lesser demand from states in the South; due to their lack of industrialization their demands on energy are forecast to remain low.

Energy demand in the industrialized states has peaked in recent years and data indicates that consumption levels in the North have become constant and are not likely to increase.

Whilst forecasts predict that energy consumption in the industrialized states of the North will continue to increase, the major increase in demand will come from the developing states of the South, posing major challenges to global energy security.

Although demand from developing states is set to increase the global consumption of dwindling energy resources, technological advancements in alternative energy sources, coupled with comprehensive understanding of current resource levels and access, will secure energy supply in the foreseeable future.

. What is meant by the term 'energy-security nexus'?

The 'energy—security nexus' refers to the constant state of flux between energy supplies and levels of security that can be achieved by states that rely on these supplies.

An 'energy—security nexus' exists where two states directly contend for access to the same, often limited, energy resource, such as oil reserves.

An 'energy—security nexus' exists in the international system because the geographical distribution of energy supply and demand are not equal; thus states are drawn into complex and intertwined relationships with one another.

An 'energy—security nexus' exists in the global system as a result of strategic planning by oil-rich states to ensure that the geographical distribution of supply and demand is not equal.

. Which of the following is an important outcome of the 'energy-security nexus'?

Attempts to exert control over energy reserves in the South have consequences for the sustainability of cooperation between core powers; the emergence of geopolitical rivalries over this form of control has implications for international security.

All of these

United by common insecurities concerning the production and supply of energy resources, international actors are forced into negotiation and cooperation between states increases.

By virtue of their energy resources to which the global 'North' desires access, states in the 'South' gain power in the international arena and have redressed the global North—South divide and associated inequalities.

. Which of the following statements could be described as a liberal perspective on future energy security?

The global economy is interconnected, ensuring that energy security for one is dependent upon energy security for all. Thus all core powers have the same interests in maintaining and extending the conditions under which this market operates. As long as this economic order exists, conflict between major powers over energy reserves is highly unlikely.

Energy scarcity is likely to lead to future disruptions in the global system and the emergence of a 'new international energy order', characterized less by liberal free-market trading than by statism and neo-mercantilism.

Oil remains the lifeblood of the current order—an order that is based upon an unequal (and deeply unjust) distribution of wealth and power in favour of capitalist economic elites. Those who benefit most from the prevailing order will ensure that the flow of energy under favourable conditions continues to underpin their position in the global system.

Energy scarcity will signal a return to an era of greater geopolitical confrontation. 'Resource wars', in particular over energy sources, present a clear possibility for a breakdown in international cooperation, as states begin to compete (and eventually conflict) over the control of major reserves.

. In what ways has the global energy environment affected the security of oil producing states?

In order to secure the continuation of supplies from oil-rich nations, states in the North have utilized their diplomatic influence to bolster human security, promoting the growth of strong liberal democratic regimes that can operate securely on the free market.

The political and economic spheres remain mutually exclusive from one another and state actors decline to intervene in the commercial aspects of oil production, instead leaving the responsibility to secure resources with international oil companies.

In their attempts to secure the continuation of energy supplies, industrialized states provide military aid to the regimes of oil-rich states, having a vested interest in securing these regimes and thus protecting the status quo, often to the detriment of human security.

Under the prevailing principles of state sovereignty and non-interference, there is limited impact on regime security of oil-producing states as a result of external interests.

. In the context of energy security and the production of oil, which of the following does not define the term 'stability'?

The absence of challenges to the regime of oil-producing states

A political and economic situation in which the status quo of production, exportation, and supply is maintained

The promotion of human security and the affiliated environmental security as a priority within oil-producing states

The security of regimes deemed 'friendly' by North American, European, and international oil company interests

. What are the characteristics and manifestations of the strategy adopted by the USA in pursuit of energy security?

The deployment of troops in the Persian Gulf is part of the USA's attempt to secure its dominance in the oil-rich region.

The USA has actively sought to stabilize oil-rich friendly political actors and secure the economic and political status quo.

The USA has sought to assert its primacy vis-à-vis friendly and rival powers, through the deployment of troops and other interventions.

All of the above

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