The impact of oil and gas dependence on the configuration of violence in low-democratization states

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the growing role of energy resources in shaping political power and security practices in low-democratization states, where oil and gas dependence determines the specificity of institutional development and the use of coercion. The impact of resource rent on the transformation of political regimes and configurations of violence in contemporary conditions has been examined. The purpose of the article is defined as conducting a comprehensive analysis of the impact of oil and gas dependence on the formation and transformation of configurations of violence in low-democratization states. Methods. General scientific and specialized research methods have been applied – analysis, generalization, comparison, a systemic approach, and elements of political-economic modeling, which made it possible to identify the relationships between the level of energy dependence and the nature of coercion. Results. It has been revealed that the growth of rent revenues contributes to the strengthening of centralized power, a decline in accountability, and the institutionalization of violence as an instrument of political governance. It has been proven that configurations of violence acquire a variable character – from centralized repressive practices to selective and latent forms integrated into mechanisms of resource distribution and political stabilization. It has been substantiated that the level of energy dependence determines not only the intensity but also the type of violence, as well as its direction – internal or external. Conclusions. Key problems of studying and regulating violence have been identified, including the lack of unified approaches to its measurement, limited empirical data, and the complexity of establishing causal relationships. Practical approaches to minimizing the risks of violence escalation have been generalized, including enhancing transparency in resource governance, strengthening institutional control, and developing international deterrence mechanisms. Prospects for further research are associated with the development of methods for assessing latent forms of violence and analyzing the impact of global energy transformations on political regimes and security practices.