The outlook of global power from an energy policy perspective

• Published date: 01 September 2024
• Author: Rahmat Hajimineh,Gelare Rastegarnia
• Date: 01 September 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/opec.12302

OPEC Energy Rev. 2024;48:167–178.

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167wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/opec

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INTRODUCTION

In the 21st century, energy has an important role in state structures and survival. Energy is a fundamental tool to be able

to understand cooperation and competition in the international system, and, following the focus on the competition of

powers, energy, we discussed, especially control over energy sources, as a key factor in the distribution of world power.

The perspective for the decades lying ahead of in the world is increased energy demand. Therefore, more than anything

such a thing can show the relationship between power and energy. The outlook of global power in the 21st century, due

to structural, institutional and technological changes, requires multi- dimensional power components.

The current situation in international relations suggests that a new Cold War has begun. The world is witnessing

the ongoing West–East conflict. The war in Ukraine reflects the beginning of the great power competition between the

Western bloc led by the United States and the bloc led by Russia. The United States side includes the EU and NATO; on

the other side are Russia and its allies. The Ukrainian conflict is the highest point of tension between the West and Russia

in the energy arena.

DOI: 10.1111/opec.12302

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The outlook of global power from an energy policy

perspective

RahmatHajimineh1

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GelareRastegarnia2

© 2024 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

1Department of Law, East Tehran

Branch, Islamic Azad University,

Tehran, Iran

2Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University,

Karaj, Iran

Correspondence

Rahmat Hajimineh, Department of

Law, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad

University, Tehran, Iran.

Email: r.hajimineh@gmail.com

Abstract

Power is one of the key concepts for understanding world politics and great pow-

er's competition in international relations. In this regard, the main question of

this paper is what will be the outlook of global power from an energy perspec-

tive in the 21st century? Based on the qualitative method and the comparative

approach, the hypothesis of the paper is that the hegemonic power's ability to

control and secure energy as a strategic commodity will be one of the main com-

ponents of global power in the future. Considering the changes that have taken

place in the 21st century, especially their impact on energy policy, the aim of the

article is to examine the perspective of global power. Research findings show that

in competition for achieving superiority in world politics, the European Union's

dependence on energy constantly makes its position in the global arena more

vulnerable. Russia, following the war in Ukraine and the use of energy as a po-

litical tool, faces a structural limitation of power in the short term. Moreover,

China's position as the largest energy consumer in the hegemonic competition

is affected by its energy security concerns. Also, the United States, as a producer

and exporter of energy, will try to stabilise its hegemonic position in the competi-

tion with competing players, including China and Russia, by shaping new energy

geopolitics and controlling the global energy markets.