Political Dimensions of Climate Justice in the Persian Gulf

The research utilises the framework of Regional Security Complex Theory to explore and integrate a conceptual approach tailored to climate justice in energy debates of the Persian Gulf. This study tries to analyse the political aspects of climate policy inside the Persian Gulf region. The study aims to capture the regional relations debate on politics of infrastructure of the power grid and interconnected gas pipelines. The multilevel aspect of RSCT has been adapted the analysis on four different levels: domestic, bilateral, regional, and global. On this basis, the concept helps to explain the reasons leading countries to cooperate or conflict and describe their interests in social justice, environmental justice, and energy justice. This is particularly the case when addressing whether energy is perceived as a security instrument or facilities for social justice. The analytical framework is based on considering three key variables: (1) the level of energy vulnerability of the countries and their domestic energy trends as the independent variable, (2) the foreign policy induced by the distribution of power and geopolitical relationships as the dependent variable, and (3) ideological or perceptual support for ethical implications of political decision-making as an intervening variable

Iran, the Pioneer of Nuclear Energy in the Persian Gulf:An Insight to 2030

The global nuclear energy scene is changing rapidly. Some countries are phasing out nuclear technology. Some are in the nuclear renaissance, planning to promote the most ambitious new construction programme. Statemen make the proper decision in nuclear policy striking the best balance of domestic energy policies, energy-concerned foreign policies, and the dynamism of international relations. This study tries to analyse the political aspects of nuclear programmes in foreign policies and international relations in the Persian Gulf region.The study examines the reasons why oil & gas producer states want to acquire nuclear energy/weapons. It reviews the structural, psychological, and technological dimensions of nuclear politics in a neoclassical realism paradigm to find the balancing energy strategies. The research examines policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. Different states' power and different perceptions of the international system allow for explaining various role players in foreign policy and energy politics.The theoretical starting point of this thesis is Neoclassical Realism in the literature of international relations. This theory offers venues for the analysis of energy diplomacy. The theory concentrates on material power and underlines the importance of state domestic structure, as well as the statesmen’s perception of the international system. These aspects create the opportunity to explain the different positions of energy choices in foreign policies of different states

Technological frames and the politics of automated electric light rail rapid transit in Poland and the United Kingdom

Light Rapid Transit (LRT) systems are often backed not only because they satisfy basic mobility functions, but because they can revitalize urban centers, affirm the legitimacy of state planners, support innovation and even cultivate an image of a city or region as progressive and modern. In this study, we argue that electrified, automated LRT systems can fulfill private functional frames, private symbolic frames, societal functional frames, and societal symbolic frames. In particular, we argue that light rail can fulfill private functional frames (making passengers feel safe, offering a cheap and efficient mode of transport), private symbolic frames (signifying political identity or exclusionary planning), societal functional frames (environmental stewardship), and societal symbolic frames (such as modernism or innovativeness). Essentially, these frames encompass not only what light rail is and does, but what it means and represents, and even some of its failures and challenges. The article then identifies ten specific frames associated with two case studies of automated light rail systems, the established Docklands Light Rail (DLR) in the United Kingdom, and the emerging Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) in Poland. We find that the DLR is not only a vital part of meeting (functional) demand for mobility, it is innovative and exciting to ride, legitimation of a conservative approach to project development, a social injustice (to some), an environmentally friendly alternative to cars, and a perceived magnet for global investment into the greater Docklands area. Similarly, the PRT is not only a reliable and safe mode of transit, but also a technical marvel, a monopoly breaking symbol, a clean and sustainable form of mobility, and a reflection of progressive Polish innovation and entrepreneurship (or enduring failure)

A Review on Iranian Energy Diplomacy in Its Foreign Policy’s Institutional Context

Despite the single official name of the Islamic Republic to represent the country’s political system, it has been built on two pillars of governance: the president as the head of government, and the supreme leader as the head of state. The political structure is based on a policymaking system that is highly dualistic and dominates the relations between the supreme leader and the executive branch of power. Even though the new era of Iran’s foreign policy commences after the Iran revolution in 1979, this study has been focused on the years beyond 1988, the coincidental year of the end of the Iraq-Iran war and the death of the first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Imam Khomeini. Immediately after his death, the political system changed to empower the supreme leader in governance and policymaking. In this regard, this article provides a thorough description and critical analysis of Iran’s political system and foreign policy making, focusing specifically on its energy diplomacy