International energy issues and options

The tension between the particular interests of nation-states and the general interests of the international community, between the principles of interdependence and independence, is manifest in every aspect of the world energy situation -- oil prices, production levels, and embargoes, for example. Consumer nations are inclined to characterize the producers' behavior as myopic, parochial, and nationalistic. The oil producers generally look upon their own actions as vindicating sovereign rights that were trampled by the multinational oil companies and the industrialized world for over a quarter century. The same tension lies at the heart of nuclear power development in which, due to the close connection between nuclear power and nuclear weapons, one nation's pursuit of self-sufficiency may threaten international stability and security. An attempt is made in this review to provide a framework for analysis of the world energy situation from a political viewpoint. Perhaps the most fundamental energy issues are political in nature and international in scope. The political process is the means for making key trade-offs, nationally and internationally, for cheap energy and secure supplies or between self-sufficiency and environmental quality. First, the international political structure is described as it relates to the evolving world energy situation. Then, themore » major international energy issues are discussed under three broad problem headings: national security, the world economy, and the global environment. 26 references. (MCW)« less