Pipeline politics and energy (in)security in Central and South-Eastern Europe

Butler, E. (2019) Pipeline politics and energy (in)security in Central and South-Eastern Europe. In: Central and South-Eastern Europe 2019. Series: The Europa regional surveys of the world, 2019. Routledge: London. ISBN 9781857439601

Abstract

This essay concerns energy security, or more specifically energy insecurity, in Central and South-Eastern Europe. Insecurity can be defined as a situation in which vulnerability from a particular danger or threat is perceived to exist. Threats generally come from external sources, but can also come from within, and usually have an existential quality. Energy is existential in that it underpins modern life—we use it to provide power, heat and light to our homes, workplaces and cities; to fuel our cars and other forms of transport; to help produce and power technology; and even to help us grow and process the food we eat. Energy is a critical resource and as such it is a commodity of significant strategic importance, particularly with regard to access. The main concern that has driven the rise of energy insecurity has been ‘security of supply’. This refers to the ability of states and other users to guarantee sources of affordable energy, sufficient to meet their needs across all economic and business, societal and even politico-military activities. Energy insecurity exists when internal actions, those by third parties, or even natural disasters, threaten to, or actually do, disrupt the supply or affordability of energy.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: Energy, energy security, European Union, pipelines.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Butler McIntosh, Professor Eamonn
• Authors: Butler, E.
• Subjects: J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe); J Political Science > JZ International relations
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Research Group: Processes and Practices of Policy-Making in Central And Eastern Europe
• Publisher: Routledge
• ISBN: 9781857439601
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Routledge
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher