Energy Hegemony and Political Influence: An Analysis of Gazprom-GUAM Relations in the Context of Plutocratic Authority Theory
Energy Hegemony and Political Influence: An Analysis of Gazprom-GUAM Relations in the Context of Plutocratic Authority Theory

Summary/Abstract: In the post-Cold War era, as the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia was being reshaped, the Russian Federation sought to re-establish its claim to regional leadership through both military and economic means. In this context, one of the most effective tools of Russian foreign policy has been the energy sector. Especially following the rise of Vladimir Putin, energy was declared a "strategic sector" and brought under the direct control of the Russian state, with Gazprom emerging as a hegemonic and directive actor. Far from being a purely economic enterprise, Gazprom began to function as a semistate power centre supporting the Kremlin’s foreign policy objectives. Focusing on Gazprom’s dual role as both a commercial entity and a political instrument, this paper analyses the GUAM countries as a case example within the company’s sphere of operation. The main aim of the study is to examine the influence Gazprom exercises over GUAM countries through economic instruments, within the framework of Plutocratic Authority Theory. The paper seeks to answer the questions of how Gazprom’s energy relations with the GUAM countries have constructed a form of plutocratic authority, and how this structure has influenced the regional political balance. Adopting a qualitative research approach and employing critical content analysis, the study reconceptualises Gazprom’s influence as a form of plutocratic power and provides a theoretical explanation of the interaction between energy and politics in the GUAM context. The findings suggest that energy policy cannot be understood solely through state-centric analyses, and that energy companies, by operating within a plutocratic framework, have become influential actors in the international system. By broadening the existing literature on energy security to include the political influence of economic power, this paper offers an original contribution to the field.

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