Agenda setting

The energy problem as an issue of argentinian foreign policy agenda (2003-2004)

Abstract

In the summer of 2003-2004, the gas crisis with Chile, which involved the cut-off of Argentine natural gas supply to that country, highlighted the existence of a domestic problem in Argentina with implications for its foreign policy. The objective of this article is to investigate how this issue became a part of the Argentine foreign policy agenda during those years. To achieve this, a qualitative research strategy was followed, focusing on the energy issue and using primary and secondary sources. The data collection techniques employed were: i) document-based observation, and ii) internet and archive-based research. Regarding the data analysis techniques, the following were utilized: i) documentary analysis, ii) descriptive statistical analysis, and iii) content/discourse analysis. As a hypothesis, it was argued that "the possibility of energy shortage was internalized by the government as a threat to the economic program, which prioritized the energy issue as a problem on the government's agenda and influenced foreign policy, integrating it as a matter of external agenda.