| Current theories of hegemony have, for the most part, ignored energy as a factor. It is argued here, however, that there are three reasons to expect energy to be a factor in the rise of nations to hegemonic power. First, societies require flow-throughs of energy, material, and information in order to maintain themselves, grow, and develop. Second, the types of energy systems used by a society set somewhat predictable limits on what humans can do and on how they will be organized. And third, since different energy sources and their associated technologies exhibit different capabilities and limitations, advantages may be conferred on one society over another based on the energy sources used by those societies. Case studies of the economic, military, and energy systems of the four nations that have achieved hegemony—Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States—found that changes in energy systems were a significant factor in each instance of hegemony.; Also examined was the premise that the rise and decline of hegemonic powers may reflect the movement away from, and subsequent return to, a condition of steady-state—where a society's energy systems, and those parts of the society that respond to changes in energy factors, change very slowly over time. It was postulated that an extended period of stable energy conditions in conjunction with the diffusion of technology would erode any energy-based differences in power among nations. While, on the other hand, the movement away from a condition of steady-state brought on by changes in a society's energy systems might provide that society with enough advantages that it could seek hegemony. Evidence for an association between the movement from one steady-state to another and the rise and decline of hegemony was found in only two of the four cases. |
