Explaining Contentious Energy Policy

Abstract

The Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline is one of the most polarised examples of contemporary American energy politics. The pipeline policy process has not been stable, so it should be analysed over time via a holistic, historical view of interacting dimensions. Robert Cox’s theoretical notions of the “materials–ideas–institutions” balance are drawn upon to understand how actors’ motivations behind policy development were re-shaped through temporal processes over nearly two decades. A critical feature identified is how such interacting dimensions became significant according to specific US presidential administrations: each, in turn, shifting the direction of decision-making around KXL. The article’s originality lies in operationalising the theory to give an alternative, dynamic explanation for policy motivations around the KXL while also establishing a novel theoretical lens to generally view such policy development.

Democracy Assistance to Global South: A Case Study of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Freedom Agenda in Indonesia

“…The relationship of these three forces can be considered reciprocal (Cox, 1981). This concept is inspired by Gramsci, where the reciprocal relationship between material and ideas brings reciprocity between structure (social relations and physical production) and superstructure (ideology and political organization) (Altiparmak, 2022). This study highlights the role of 'organic intellectuals' which Moolakkattu (2009) stated that they are not only producing ideas, but also form complex and competing strategies.…”

“…Cox defines historical structures as 'continuous social practices, created by collective human activity and transformed through collective human activity', shaped by interactions between 'certain combinations of thought patterns, material conditions, and human institutions' (Pass, 2018). This method can understand how ideas, material capabilities, and institutions have interacted at different times to shape the motivations and interests of actors at the organizational/ material/discursive level in parallel with the explanation of global politics (Altiparmak, 2022).…”