Energy and security: discourse and practice in the United States and China

Nyman, Jonna (2014). Energy and security: discourse and practice in the United States and China. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Nyman14PhD.pdf PDF - Accepted Version Download (2MB)

Abstract

This thesis conducts an in-depth empirical analysis of the way in which energy was constructed as a security issue in the United States and China between 2004 and 2012. The core argument is that energy security is contested: it means different things to different people in different contexts. State energy security discourse and practice in both states constructed energy largely as a national security issue, emphasising the need to secure the state in economic and/or strategic terms by providing secure energy supplies at stable prices. This is found to be problematic and ‘negative’, as encouraging competition over finite fuels perpetuates insecurity for states, and fails to secure human beings and the environment. Thus, it does not produce security. However, there are a number of competing marginalised energy security constructions, which forward a more ‘positive’ notion of energy security – emphasising sustainability and human welfare. By illustrating the contested nature of energy security, this thesis contributes the first in-depth critical empirical analysis of energy security constructions. It thus brings together insights from critical approaches to security with the empirical area of energy security to understand how energy security is constructed, while raising important theoretical questions about the importance of context for understanding the value of security and the potential for moving towards more ‘positive’ energy security discourse and practice.

Type of Work:	Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)
Award Type:	Doctorates > Ph.D.
Supervisor(s):	Supervisor(s) Email ORCID Quinn, Andrew UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Floyd, Rita UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Beeson, Mark UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Shepherd, Laura UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wilkinson, Cai UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
Licence:
College/Faculty:	Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Social Sciences
School or Department:	Department of Political Science and International Studies
Funders:	Economic and Social Research Council
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JK Political institutions (United States) J Political Science > JQ Political institutions Asia
URI:	http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/4918

Actions

	Request a Correction
	View Item

Downloads