This thesis assesses and compares neo-colonial mechanisms in Franco-Algerian and European Union-Algerian relations in shale gas exploration and solar power potential. Neo-colonialism supposes...Show moreThis thesis assesses and compares neo-colonial mechanisms in Franco-Algerian and European Union-Algerian relations in shale gas exploration and solar power potential. Neo-colonialism supposes traditional colonial activities have not ended after decolonisation but are continued ‘hidden in plain sight’. The criteria to investigate these mechanisms are economic predominance, political influence, and perpetuation of socio-economic disparities by cooperation with an elite in the former colony. The theoretical framework draws from the fields of international relations and anthropology. Energy security being the main priority for Algeria, France, and the EU, it dictates the development of new energy resources, often failing to take into account the effects on inhabitants of the extraction zones thus maintaining neo-colonial mechanisms.Show less
This thesis delves into the policy aspects giving impetus to the so-called Fracking Revolution in the United States by analysing the underexplored motives for the government push towards research...Show moreThis thesis delves into the policy aspects giving impetus to the so-called Fracking Revolution in the United States by analysing the underexplored motives for the government push towards research efforts into domestic energy supplies. This study aims to explore how Kingdon’s three different streams encapsulating the problem, the politics and policy options, came together following the 1973 & 1979 oil crises and led to the new policy direction of Energy Independence. Within these streams, the effect the consecutive crises had on public attention and how, coupled with media framing, it forced policy agents to act gave rise to a new policy priority seeking energy domestically. This thesis finds that the ensuing policy of Energy Independence not only led to the establishment and increased importance of domestic-energy related agencies, but have also served the energy industry as a way to continuously advance interests on a state-level where much of the industry’s development efforts played out. The free-pass given to industry when citing this US policy priority ultimately led to an environment in which the Fracking Revolution could take place.Show less
Shale gas offers both big opportunities and big risks. This has resulted in a fierce debate in the EU over the past years which placed research in a central role. This thesis investigates whether...Show moreShale gas offers both big opportunities and big risks. This has resulted in a fierce debate in the EU over the past years which placed research in a central role. This thesis investigates whether oil and gas producers (OGPs) use research to manipulate the debate. Between June 2013 to March 2014 all public available research has been collected in a database for the use of this thesis. The reports are ranked in tiers, distinguishing between primary, secondary, quantitative and qualitative research. Consequently the current level of knowledge on shale gas is assessed and linked to the research coverage of the different topics. This analysis shows the nascent state of research and the general lack of consensus on virtually all issues. Furthermore, it is establishes that economic research offers the biggest potential for manipulation. This economic research will be analyzed based on the organizational features and the content of three primary reports in order to establish whether OGPs manipulated the outcome of the research. Using the theory of Value Sensitive Design it will be established how this manipulation could influence the decision making process on shale gas.Show less
