Processes and Institutions of Energy Diplomacy: Structural-Functional Analysis

Energy diplomacy is one of the most important areas in international relations. Scientific research on this issue is extremely difficult due to its high political significance and, consequently, the bias in published works. The study of energy diplomacy should therefore be conducted using structural-functional analysis, that is, identifying the participants in the processes and their tasks. The article examines the content of energy diplomacy as a type of international relations, discusses the processes and institutions of energy diplomacy, studies the phenomenon of lobbying in the energy sector, evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of energy diplomacy using the examples of relations between Russia and Germany and Russia and Britain in the energy sphere, and assesses the reasons for successes and failures. Trust is analyzed as one of the aspects of informal relations in the energy sector, the interconnection of formal and informal tools of energy diplomacy is explored, as well as the peculiarities of the functioning of administrative and bureaucratic structures. The neo-institutional approach and decision-making theory are used to assess the interaction of subjects of energy diplomacy. The institutions and processes of energy diplomacy are distinguished, and their functions are indicated, which allows for the prediction of player behavior, identification of trends, and decision-making. Structural-functional analysis of energy diplomacy can be used to reduce the significance of value-laden judgments and provides a neutral description of relations between states in the energy sector. Energy diplomacy consists of formal and informal processes, where the former can be measured directly through normative legal acts and reports, while the latter can be assessed indirectly through manifestations such as trade directions and volumes, the activity of non-profit organizations and media, public statements by politicians. The structure of energy diplomacy relations includes interaction between international and national energy companies, key consumers, relevant state structures, and key political figures from countries. The functions of participants in energy diplomacy include exerting pressure on decision-makers, facilitating legislative processes, and preparing international treaties. The effectiveness of energy diplomacy varies depending on the resource potential of players: those subjects that can exert greater influence on decision-makers will obtain more favorable conditions.