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New Enlightenment

The Geopolitics of the Energy Transition with Helen Thompson

May 17, 2024
Helen Thompson, a Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge and co-host of the podcast These Times, delves into the geopolitical dynamics of the energy transition. She discusses how today’s energy landscape mirrors 20th-century oil economies, emphasizing state involvement's crucial role. The conversation highlights China's advantages in minerals for renewable energy and the escalating competition with the U.S. Insights into how energy policies intersect with electoral dynamics and future interdisciplinary collaborations make for a compelling listen.
01:05:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The shift in political economy emphasizes the critical interplay between energy politics and national identity amidst global transitions.
  • China's control over essential minerals for energy transition escalates geopolitical competition with the United States aiming for supply chain independence.

Deep dives

The Resurgence of Political Economy

Political economy has seen a resurgence since the 2008 financial crash, which highlighted the profound political consequences of the international financial system. This period shifted the focus from a technocratic to a politically engaged understanding of the economy, with an emphasis on how economic changes intertwine with democratic stability and national identity. The events of 2016, notably Brexit and the rise of Trump, further fueled this interest, as scholars looked to explain the economic underpinnings of these political shifts. The discourse has evolved to recognize the importance of merging economic analysis with political realities, making political economy an essential lens for interpreting contemporary global challenges.

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