The peaking of liberal democracy:
energy scarcity, food security, and
insurgent governance
Wayne Foord1
This article argues that the peak in global oil production
is bringing about the emergence of a post-liberal order.
Given continuing fossil fuel and resource depletion, as
well as climate change impacts, the new order will be
unsustainable, thus providing opportunities for the deepening of democracy through new forms of local participatory governance. Local food-system planning is one
example. The Cuban experience of energy scarcity during
the 1990’s ‘Special Period’ also points to the possibility
of adaptive policy responses, leading to more resilient,
decentralised governance, and highlights the role of assertive grass-roots initiatives in setting precedents for
policy innovation.
Introduction
‘Peak oil’ refers to the point at which maximum global production is
reached, and thereafter enters permanent decline. There is evidence that
Wayne is a PhD candidate in the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen’s University Belfast.
1