A Comparative Study of American Energy Policies (2000-2021)

A Comparative Study of American Energy Policies (2000-2021)
 (Received: 04/09/2022 - Accepted: 08/02/2023)
Majid Reza Momeni, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Allameh Tabataba’I University, Tehran, Iran (Momenimajidreza@gmail.com)
 
Orcid Code: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1544-9217
Mohammadreza Haji Safar Tehrani, M.A, Department of International Relations, Allameh Tabataba’I University, Tehran, Iran (Mr.tehrani88@gmail.com)
Orcid Code: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0620-9617 
 
Abstract
Energy has become a critical issue and has also gained economic as well as strategic importance for different purposes from normal life style and daily usages to the high tech instruments and military forces and application. In this way, with the passage of time its significance has got momentum and brought about serious challenges and even conflicts among nations. Thus, states have tried to gain access to the energy sources in order to fulfill their needs and this has been the case not only for the importers but also for the exports. Both exporters and importers try through different policies to control and dominate the demand and supply process in international and regional markets. OPEC as an example, was established to play a greater role in the international energy system, and over period of time, the trans-OPEC states have tried to influence the functioning and status of the organization. USA has been one of the states that has tried to influenced the organization by adopting various policies and plans. This research aims to study the energy policies of the United States of America over period of 2000 till 2021 in order to have a deeper understanding of different policies and doctrines of three presidents regarding the energy and energy issues in the internal and external contexts. Therefore, This piece of research seeks to address this important question as to  what are the differences and similarities of American energy policies during 2000-2021? the hypothesis is that the American governments in this period try to reduce the dependence on Middle Eastern oil, influence the energy market, marginalization of the OPEC organization, prioritizing the role of energy and influencing the Persian Gulf and their differences include Bush's emphasis on maintaining the status quo (within America) and the use of military power for (outside America) and not using new technology, Obama's emphasis on renewable energy and the use of green policy while using new technology and Trump's emphasis on putting forward the US First policy, using new technology and achieving energy independence by confronting the traditional powers of the energy market while bringing up the New International Energy Order. This research uses the qualitative method focusing on the case study with comparative perspective to pinpoint the differences and similarities of the cases in order to reach a valid and precise analysis of the research topic. For this purpose, the primary and secondary data including documents, reports, statements, books, articles and valid internet sites are consulted and used. The theoretical frame work of the research is based on the realist school of thought to have a better explanation and analysis of the issue and status of energy in international arena and in America as well as its importance for the American national security too. In fact, through the assumptions of realism we can understand that why access to energy is equal to access to power and why it is so vital for USA to control and dominate the regional and international energy markets and sources all over the world. The research findings emphasize the fact that the American governments during different periods and presidencies have taken various policies and doctrines not only as a presidential campaign but also as a foreign policy directive to get access to different parts of the world where there are rich energy sources. For example, during the Bush presidency the dual policy of pressurizing the OPEC members for low prices and use of military forces and aggressive stances against some countries like Iraq were taken into consideration, while Obama tried to take the policy of green policy and introduce and invest on shale technology, Trump with the policies of America First and New International Energy Order tried to influence the internal and external energy markets and make USA a great exporter. As a matter of fact, it was during his presidency that USA started to challenge the traditional energy powers and exporters by imposing sanctions and new corridors for transportation of energy and creating a new geopolitical configuration in the field of energy, specially focusing the Western Hemisphere. Finally, the concluding remarks reveal the fact that the American governments have always endeavored to acquire and protect their energy sources while influencing the global energy market specially the Persian Gulf.