Hegemony and energy resources: example of Central Asia

Energy, especially after oil started to be used in mid 1800s and it has become the most important production and transportation matter after 1900s, brought about its prevailing importance for world politics and world economics. In the 21st century, the energy is the most important factor for public welfare and sustainable development for the countries. Countries are in the race for this important position of energy that have energy resources might provide wealth and welfare. Energy might provide for those countries which possess the resources. On the other hand, energy might cause political and economic instability due to being an area of contest among global powers. Moreover, it is not sufficient to possess energy resources for those countries. These countries need economic and political strength of global powers for supply of energy resources that brings global power contest. As a result of contest, countries control energy supply can increase so those countries strength in global scale. It is possible to that one dimension of energy resources problem can be explained with the concept of “threat” and as for the other dimension, with the concept “interest”. Energy is accepted as indispensable element for continuation of current civilization. In that reason, energy geopolitics and energy security concepts are very important for all world nations. The example of this work will be the Central Asian States because of that reason has rich energy resources. This paper will define what the hegemonic power is first and than hegemonic powers of the region that Russian Federation (RF), United States (US) and China will be examined on the energy policies.