CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2013
| Author | Nosko, Andrej |
|---|---|
| Title | Energy Security in Transition: Coping with Energy Import Dependence in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary |
| Summary | In this dissertation I study why countries under comparable international conditions prioritize energy security differently. Why do their domestic responses of coping with structural position of energy import dependence vary over time, and what explains the type of variation and its timing? By answering these questions, this dissertation contributes to the broader research field on temporal and spatial variation of domestic responses to comparable international conditions. In order to understand the factors of prioritizing security in energy policy, and their facilitating and inhibiting conditions, in countries in transition, through case selection, I isolate effects of fundamentals and external factors. As I observe in the Central and East European countries in transition, policies enhancing energy security are prioritized when three aspects coincide and interact: When popular perception of threat, which can plausibly be connected to the energy supply, is high and concentrated among supporters of ruling parties; when former elites who can draw on personal links with the perceived source of threat, and thus can dampen the effects of threat are removed from power; and when incumbent industrial interests are de-concentrated and face obstacles in promoting their interests. I also argue that change of ownership lowering the control of government over energy assets, privatization, was an obstacle to prioritizing policies aiming to increasing energy security. The broader theoretical contribution of this dissertation consists of argument for reframing the energy policy debate by bringing back domestic politics, and by contributing to understanding of security policy prioritization during transition. Energy security, albeit important, is only one of the aspects that are being pursued by governments. Through this project I also lay the foundations for broader conceptual model for analyzing energy security, within context, as one of the energy policy priorities. |
| Supervisor | Greskovits, Bela |
| Department | Political Science PhD |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2013/nosko_andrej.pdf |
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