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Journals / Anadolu Strateji Dergisi / 2025 / Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2

Energy and Authoritarianism: The Impact of Energy Rent Seeking on Political Regimes

Enerji ve Otoriterleşme: Enerji Rantlarının Politik Rejimlere Etkisi

Tuğba Çakıroğlu(POLİS AKADEMİSİ, TRAFİK ENSTİTÜSÜ)0000-0001-5128-4371
Pages
75–98
Publication Date
2025-12-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Keywords: Rentier State, Energy Politics, Authoritarianism, Gulf Countries, Turkey, Russia

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This article analyzes the impact of energy revenues on the persistence of authoritarian regimes through the lens of Rentier State Theory.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Using a comparative analysis of Gulf countries (notably Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar) and Russia, the study shows how energy wealth is employed to weaken democratic institutions, suppress opposition, and reinforce regime stability.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Keywords: Rentier State, Energy Politics, Authoritarianism, Gulf Countries, Turkey, Russia
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Rant Devleti · Enerji Siyaseti · Otoriterleşme

Abstract

This article analyzes the impact of energy revenues on the persistence of authoritarian regimes through the lens of Rentier State Theory. It first examines the theoretical relationship between energy resources and political structures, then explores how energy rents contribute to authoritarian tendencies. Using a comparative analysis of Gulf countries (notably Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar) and Russia, the study shows how energy wealth is employed to weaken democratic institutions, suppress opposition, and reinforce regime stability. The Turkish case is also considered: although Turkey is not a major energy producer, its dependence on energy imports and the political dynamics of energy-related foreign policy significantly affect its domestic politics. The research finds that the increasing centralization of energy policy in Turkey undermines transparency and weakens democratic accountability. The article argues that energy revenues function not only as economic resources but also as political tools that bolster authoritarianism. Keywords: Rentier State, Energy Politics, Authoritarianism, Gulf Countries, Turkey, Russia

Özet

Bu makale, enerji gelirlerinin otoriter rejimlerin sürekliliği üzerindeki etkisini Rant Devleti Kuramı çerçevesinde değerlendirmektedir. İlk olarak kuramsal temelde enerji kaynaklarının siyasal yapılarla ilişkisi incelenmiş, ardından enerji rantlarının otoriterleşme üzerindeki rolü ele alınmıştır. Körfez ülkeleri (özellikle Suudi Arabistan, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri ve Katar) ile Rusya örnekleri üzerinden yapılan karşılaştırmalı analiz, enerji gelirlerinin demokratik kurumları zayıflatma, muhalefeti bastırma ve rejim istikrarını sağlama yönünde kullanıldığını göstermektedir. Türkiye özelinde ise doğrudan enerji rantı üreticisi bir ülke olmamakla birlikte, enerji ithalatına bağımlılığın ve enerji üzerinden kurulan dış politika ilişkilerinin iç siyasetteki etkileri analiz edilmiştir. Türkiye'de enerji politikalarının giderek merkeziyetçi ve devletçi bir yapıya evrilmesinin, karar alma süreçlerinde şeffaflığı azaltarak demokratik denetimi zayıflattığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Makale, enerji gelirlerinin yalnızca ekonomik değil, aynı zamanda politik bir araç olarak kullanıldığını ve bu durumun otoriter eğilimleri pekiştirdiğini öne sürmektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Rant Devleti, Enerji Siyaseti, Otoriterleşme, Körfez Ülkeleri, Türkiye, Rusya

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Cite This Article

Çakıroğlu, T. (2025). Energy and Authoritarianism: The Impact of Energy Rent Seeking on Political Regimes. Anadolu Strateji Dergisi, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 2, 75–98. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18086278

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