Energy security, world system, and Jervis’ spiral security dilemma; Case of Russo-Ukraine War

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Department of Economics, Faculty of Economy and Political Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Energy Systems, Faculty of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Political decisions and actions at the international level are formed by complex psychological mechanisms, perceptions, and misconceptions. It makes difficult to predict the outcome of political and social interactions. In International Relations (IR) and political psychology, the security dilemma, or the spiral model, which was first seriously presented by Robert Jervis, states government's actions to increase its security can lead to the adoption of security measures by creating a misperception as a threat in another government. Such an action-reaction cycle can cause tensions, escalation, and the emergence of numerous conflicts between the parties. The role of energy as one of the main drivers of socio-economic affairs, its interrelationships with countries' national security and geopolitical issues push governments pay special attention to energy security as one of their various forms of security. This research seeks to investigate the relationship between the area of energy security and the security dilemma, especially with regard to the regulators of the security dilemma from Jervis' perspective (physical-material factors and psychological-perceptual factors). In line with the physical-material factors of the security dilemma, we examine the role of energy and energy systems where they are exposed to security threats or are themselves the cause of insecurity. Also, in psychological-perceptual factors, the potential of energy security to generate misperceptions and their diverse origins is explored. A brief case study of the Russo-Ukraine war has also been examined in this regard. Finally, by conceptualizing the "Spiral Energy Security Dilemma", the domains of cooperation in the shadow of the security dilemma and the challenges of energy security are analyzed.

Keywords

Main Subjects

حوزة موضوعی: جنگ روسیه و اوکراین

Scope: Russo-Ukraine War

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Journal of Countries Studies
Volume 1, Issue 4
Special issue of Russo-Ukraine War
2024
Pages 515-556

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 May 2023
  • Revise Date: 30 June 2023
  • Accept Date: 01 July 2023

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