GEOPOLITICS OF ENERGY: HOW RESOURCE DEPENDENCY SHAPES GLOBAL POWER DYNAMICS

Abstract

The strategic distribution and control of energy resources have long been a fundamental determinant of global power dynamics. From the coal-powered British Empire to the oil-centric American century, access to abundant and reliable energy has been a cornerstone of economic prosperity and geopolitical influence. This paper argues that in the 21st century, energy resource dependency continues to function as a primary axis of geopolitical competition, albeit in evolving and increasingly complex forms. The traditional paradigm, characterized by the leverage of hydrocarbon-rich states and the vulnerability of consuming nations, is being reconfigured by three transformative shifts: the shale revolution in the United States, the assertive energy statecraft of Russia and petrostates, and the global imperative of the clean energy transition. This paper examines the theoretical foundations of energy as a geopolitical instrument, analyzes the strategies of key state actors, and explores the emerging battlegrounds of critical minerals and green technology. It concludes that while fossil fuels will remain a source of geopolitical friction in the near term, the center of gravity in the geopolitics of energy is gradually shifting from control over hydrocarbon reserves to dominance over the technologies, supply chains, and intellectual property that will power a low-carbon future. Navigating this transition requires a recalibration of energy security doctrines away from a narrow focus on supply security toward a holistic strategy encompassing resilience, diversification, and technological leadership.