Conflict and Cooperation in Russia-Europe Energy Relations

Abstract

Ensuring energy security has been now for some time at the center of both European and Russian politics. The issue is traditionally framed through geopolitical lenses, stressing the primacy of nation states and power-politics. This holds even more for natural gas which is due to its limited availability, difficult transport and economic importance seen as a tool of strategic considerations. The panel juxtaposes papers that build on the geopolitical approach with those which address the issue from competing and critical approaches derived from diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives. This pluralistic view helps to develop different accounts of the issue which can be mutually enriching and corrective.