Energy Security and State Vulnerability: A Case Study From Taiwan

Matchett, Leah

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90229 Copy

Description

Title

Energy Security and State Vulnerability: A Case Study From Taiwan

Author(s)

Matchett, Leah

Contributor(s)

• Singer, Cliff
• Liao, Timothy

Issue Date

2016

Keyword(s)

• Taiwan
• Energy
• Security
• trade
• stability

Abstract

This paper will attempt to address the validity of the emphasis by western researchers and Taiwanese politicians on Taiwan’s energy insecurity as a source of state vulnerability. This analysis will take two main forms: an investigation of the likelihood of a break in Taiwan’s fossil fuel trade relationships, and an analysis of the economic effects such a break would incur. The likelihood of a trade break is assessed comparatively using an index (the Trade Stability Score, or TSS), which includes trade barrier and stability data from the World Bank and Taiwanese historical import data for each of its trading partners. The analysis of the effects of a trade break is restricted to the special treatment of energy imports by existing literature. By comparing the effects of price changes in energy resources to price changes in Taiwan’s most imported commodities, it is possible to determine if energy prices have an effect on Taiwan’s economy beyond that of other goods. Despite widespread concern over energy imports, the majority (88%) of Taiwan’s imports of fossil fuels come from countries with the highest fifty percent of Trade Stability Scores. In addition, over the period of record, oil prices did not have an effect on the Taiwanese current account that is greater than that of other commodities.

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90229

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Matchett,

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