History 4214
Course Information
Topics in Economic and Business History:
Regulation and Energy in American History
With gasoline prices and dependence on foreign oil near record levels, energy has become a big topic again in public policy circles. Americans consume a disproportionately large amount of energy by world standards, yet government leaders—Democrats and Republicans—have been unwilling or unable to craft coherent policies to ensure reliable sources of fuel at reasonable prices. Because of petroleum imports, government initiatives have often been directed toward securing stable supplies of foreign oil, even if that meant resorting to war (i.e., the two Gulf wars), according to some policy analysts. Of course, oil is not the only energy resource available to Americans, but alternatives such as domestic coal and nuclear power have encountered serious technical and political objections that reduce their availability for use. Meanwhile, the development of renewable energy resources has been hampered by lackluster political support.
This course takes an historical approach toward understanding the development of government regulatory policy toward energy in the United States. It will examine the origins of regulation at the end of the 19th century and trace the often-convoluted evolution of energy use and government policy in the 20th and 21st centuries. Regulation and deregulation of energy industries will also be studied to gain insights about the purposes and consequences of government intervention in the energy markets.
This class, was last taught by Dr. Hirsh in fall 2005.
Class Resources
- Syllabus
- Blackboard--contains more information for current students
Other Resources
- Tips for Writing Good Papers
- Assistance available at the Writing Center at VT
Energy crisis and beyond
The crisis of 1973 made Americans painfully aware of the precarious nature of the way they produce and use energy.
