Publication

This thesis contributes to the study of energy security by exploring the effects of energy dependence on importers. It examines data from 167 dyadic oil and gas trade relationships (1990-2008) to answer two questions. First, does gas import dependency have a more profound effect on foreign policy creation than oil dependency? Second, what factors exacerbate or mitigate the foreign policy effects of gas import dependency? The study identifies three quantifiable factors that tend to increase the foreign policy affinity importers display towards their suppliers, and two quantifiable factors that tend to reduce the foreign policy affinity importers show towards their suppliers.