EPIS Basics

Availability and Affordability: True energy security means a state has an uninterrupted supply of energy at a price that does not cripple the economy.

Diversification: To achieve independence, nations must diversify both their energy sources (renewables, nuclear, gas) and their suppliers to avoid being held hostage by a single hostile exporter.

Infrastructure Resilience: This involves protecting the physical and digital grid from "shocks," such as terror attacks, cyber warfare, or extreme weather events.

In 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US established a trilateral pact called AUKUS. The AUKUS consists of two pillars. In an unprecedented step, the first pillar sees the US and UK share submarine technology with Australia. The aim is for Australia to domestically produce nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines by the 2040s. As part of the second pillar, the three countries pledged to cooperate on cutting-edge technologies. Areas of cooperation include artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and electronic warfare.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the UN, responsible for ensuring international peace and security. It consists of 15 member states and 5 permanent members, and the permanent members possess veto power on every proposal. The Security Council has authority to impose sanctions, authorise peacekeeping missions, and take collective initiatives to address conflicts. It is a vital forum for addressing urgent international crises and responding to complex geopolitical challenges.

Liberalist theorists argue that peace is achieved through cooperation, institutions, peaceful interaction among states. It contends that international cooperation can lead to the promotion of common interests. Liberalism emphasises the importance of international institutions in providing forum for diplomacy to prevent conflict among states. Unlike realism, liberalism sees that states pursue not only their own interests but also seek shared values such as democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity.

In 1823, during a speech to the US Congress, President Monroe articulated his vision of the world being divided into the Old World and the New World. The Americas constituted the new world, within which the US would not tolerate any expansion of European colonial activities. In return, the US would not intervene in European affairs. Since its declaration, the Monroe Doctrine was reinterpreted to allow for greater US interventionism in the Americas. believed the

Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping global politics. It contends that international outcomes are influenced by not only material factors but also non-material factors such as socially constructed perceptions and conventions. Constructivism highlights the importance of shared beliefs, cultural practices, and historical contexts in shaping state behavior. It argues that their behaviors are not fixed but can adapt and change based on evolving social norms and identities.

According to the organisational behaviour model, states' behaviour is not utility-maximizing. Instead, state action resembles the organisational output of government agencies. Organisations operate according to standard operating procedures, which can increase efficiency. However, standardisation also means procedures cannot be tailored to specific circumstances and could be outdated. Subsequently, government agencies might act in ways contradicting the paradigm of utility maximisation.

Post-colonialism investigates how colonial history and narratives continue to influence international relations. Rather than anarchy, hierarchies reminiscent of colonialism are believed to dominate international relations. These hierarchies are reinforced by narratives that portray non-Western countries as fragile, incompetent, and in need of help. Western humanitarian aid often builds upon these narratives, subsequently reinforcing colonial hierarchies.

Accidents vs. Intent: In professional contexts, Safety refers to protection against unintentional hazards or accidents (e.g., wearing a helmet), while Security refers to protection against intentional threats or malice (e.g., guards against theft).

Systemic Overlap: In critical infrastructure, the two are inseparable; a security breach (a hack) can lead to a safety failure (an explosion).

Human Factor: Both rely on "culture"—a strong safety/security culture ensures that protocols are followed even when no one is watching.

The Hubbert Curve: This theory suggests that oil production follows a bell-shaped curve; "Peak Oil" is the point in time when the maximum rate of extraction is reached, after which production begins to decline.

Economic Impact: Historically, this term triggered fears of "resource scarcity" and global economic collapse due to rising fuel costs.

Shift in Perspective: Modern debate has shifted from "Peak Supply" (running out of oil) to "Peak Demand"—the point where society moves to renewables and no longer wants to extract the remaining oil.

Neoliberalism is a strand of liberalism that concentrates on economic interdependencies and international institutions. Neoliberalism believes international institutions can contribute to cooperation and peace by  verifying and sharing information between parties, subsequently lowering transaction costs. Moreover, international organizations can act as an honest broker between factions.

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and political leader. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and initially promoted peaceful resistance to apartheid. After the ANC was banned in 1960, he endorsed armed struggle and was imprisoned in 1964. Following 27 years in prison, Mandela was released in 1990 and worked with President F.W. de Klerk to dismantle apartheid. He served as South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.

The "Double Disaster": Natech stands for Natural-Hazard-Induced Technological accidents. It describes a scenario where a natural event (e.g., an earthquake) triggers a technological failure (e.g., a chemical leak or nuclear meltdown).

Complexity of Response: They are harder to manage because emergency services must deal with the natural catastrophe and a hazardous material release simultaneously, often with damaged infrastructure.

Increasing Risk: Due to climate change and growing industrialization in hazard-prone areas, the frequency of Natech events is rising globally.

Peasant Revolution: Reinterpreted Marxism by centering the rural peasantry rather than the urban working class as the primary force of revolution.

Mass Campaigns: Launched radical initiatives like the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution to forcibly transform China’s social and economic structure.

People's War: Developed guerrilla warfare doctrines that emphasized psychological mobilization, influencing revolutionary movements globally.

Liberalist theorists argue that peace is achieved through cooperation, institutions, peaceful interaction among states. It contends that international cooperation can lead to the promotion of common interests. Liberalism emphasises the importance of international institutions in providing forum for diplomacy to prevent conflict among states. Unlike realism, liberalism sees that states pursue not only their own interests but also seek shared values such as democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity.

Tito-Stalin Split: Defied the USSR in 1948, proving that a communist state could remain independent from Moscow's direct control and influence.

Self-Management: Implemented a unique economic system where workers managed their own enterprises, diverging from the Soviet-style command economy.

Brotherhood and Unity: Suppressed ethnic nationalism through a shared Yugoslav identity, maintaining stability across the volatile Balkan region for decades.

Nehru became India's first prime minister. Domestically, Nehru promoted democracy and secularism. Regarding foreign policy, Nehru advocated for non-alignment.

Mare Liberum: Pioneered "freedom of the seas," arguing that oceans are international territory, a core principle of modern maritime law.

Just War Theory: Defined legal and moral limits for conflict, asserting that war must have a legitimate cause and follow specific rules.

Secular Natural Law: Argued that law derives from human reason rather than just divine command, allowing for a universal legal framework between diverse nations.

The terms "energy security" and "energy independence" are imperative to understanding internaitonal energy politics. Energy security is the ability to ensure the uninterrupted availability of energy at an affordable price. Energy independence goes beyond energy security by emphasizing that an uninterupted availability of energy must be achieved while maintaining sovereignty and independence in one's foreign policy. For example, Germany prior to the Ukraine War achieved energy security, as Russian gas was readily available. However, Germany did not achieve energy independence, as its dependence on Russian gas forced it to adopt a more conciliatory policy towards Russia.

Nobel made a fortune by inventing dynamite. He remained childless. Hence, after his death, he made his fortune available for funding the Nobel Prize.

Feminist international relations theory posits that gender inequalities transcend borders. Consequently, adopting a feminist lens on international relations is merited. In doing so, gender norms are identified and challenged. For example, the focus on states in international relations is the product of a male-dominated state apparatus. Hence, feminist international relations theorists go beyond states, including various non-state actors, in their analysis of international relations.

Founded in 1998, Europol is an EU organ responsible for facilitating police cooperation between EU member states. Therefore, Europol creates databases and issues reports on crime. However, Europol cannot start investigations or arrests. Instead, it can only take part in Joint Investigation Teams.

Absolutism asserted that by divine right, all power should be centred in the hands of the reigning monarch. To enable absolutism, monarchs relied on a professional standing army and a large bureaucratic apparatus to execute their will. Often, absolutist monarchs showcased their power in lavish palaces like Louis XIV's Versailles.

The African Union (AU) is a continental organisation consisting of 55 African nations. Its goal is to enhance political, economic, and social cooperation across the continent. The AU seeks to prevent and manage conflict through organs like its Peace and Security Council. The AU has also compromised that it is possible to militarily intervene in a member state under the name of peacekeeping. The AU's efforts include addressing conflicts, advancing human rights, and coordinating responses to continental challenges such as health crises and climate change.

Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights. It advocates for the protection of human rights, including civil liberties, political freedoms, and social justice. The organisation operates independently and strives to mobilise public support to pressure governments and other entities to uphold human rights standards.

Sadat became Egyptian president in 1970 following Nasser's death. Despite launching the Yom Kippur War to alleviate the trauma of Egypt's defeat during the Six-Day War, Sadat sought closer ties to the US. Hence, Sadat was open to US-mediated peace efforts when the tide turned against Egypt during the Yom Kippur War. These mediations ultimately lead to Egypt regaining the Sinai Peninsula and recognising Israel in the 1978 Camp-David Accords. Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by opponents of the Camp David Accords.

The Arctic Council was first convened in 1996 and features eight permanent member states: the US, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. The Arctic Council is devoted to protecting indigenous peoples, combatting climate change and pollution, and coordinating economic activities in the Arctic region. As part of its ambition to establish an "Arctic Silk Road", China joined the council as an observer in 2013.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of 10 member states, promoting regional peace and stability and accelerating economic growth. It promotes the “ASEAN Way” which refers to an approach to solving issues that respect the region’s cultural norms. Its key principles include non-interference in domestic affairs and consensus-based decision-making.

A general in the Chilean army, Pinochet took power in a military coup in 1973. Under Pinochet, approximately 40,000 critics and suspected communists were imprisoned, tortured or killed. Besides political oppression, Pinochet introduced free-market reforms influenced by Milton Friedman. Facing international pressure and a lost referendum, Pinochet handed over power to his democratically elected successor in 1990. However, Pinochet maintained immunity from prosecution.

The Balance of Power Theory suggests that states seek to prevent any single state or coalition from dominating the international system. This behavior is derived from the threat of each states’ survival. If one state gains significant power, it will take advantage of its less powerful neighbors. The theory contends that states will naturally form alliances or counter-alliances to prevent the emergence of a hegemon and to maintain relative equilibrium of powe