

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.
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Energy Central to Political Economy
- Political economy has resurged since 2008 highlighting the political impact of economic systems.
- Energy has become central to understanding political economy and international relations.
China's Geopolitical Advantage in Metals
- China's domination of metals production and processing gives it geopolitical advantages in the energy transition.
- The US is pushing back strongly, notably with policies like the Inflation Reduction Act.
Metals Concentrated, Power Diffused
- Metals for energy transition are more geographically concentrated than oil was early in the 20th century.
- This concentration heightens geopolitical tension but differs from oil geopolitics because resource-rich smaller countries won't be global powers.