Description
The transition to a low-carbon world invites us to reassess the utility of the frameworks that were developed to understand the interactions between energy systems and the modern world. To this end the article critically unpacks the key concept of resource nationalism which asserts that clashes between resources-rich states and extractive companies are of a cyclical nature and are predominantly triggered by a combination of economic factors. The analysis demonstrates that such a reading of the disagreements is of limited value and can only be presented if non-economic factors are largely downplayed. Most importantly, decolonization, which was a vital driver behind state-companies disputes in the second half of the last century, is often decentred in favour of other aspects, in particular, fluctuating commodity prices. The article argues that if resource nationalism remains to be valid, the focus on cyclicality should give way to greater historical contextualization and emphasis on individual cases.
