Generolo Jono Žemaičio Lietuvos karo akademija

The relevance of this article is based on the aim to fulfil the lack of understanding of public perception on nuclear energy in Lithuania. The results of the empirical survey (public poll carried out in 2013) are used to explain the public perception of nuclear energy and its contextual aspects (safety, economic benefit, possible new challenges, personal knowledge). To show the distribution of the attitude among the public cluster analysis was performed through which respondents were divided into two groups. The 1st cluster represents that part of the public which is well educated, actively working and actively contributing to the state economy. Meanwhile the 2nd is less educated, less active economically and more dependent on social security programs part of the public. The cluster analysis reveals small, but statistically significant differences in attitude between the clusters.

The shifted research gaze in energy security studies leads to formulation of new question – is it possible to talk not only about objective indicators of material deprivation and poverty caused by the lack of energy security, but take into account indicators from sociocultural dimension? By analyzing solely objective processes and considering economic and political reasons as well as consequences of energy security do we not forget to analyze less visible but not less important aspects of norms, values and power relations, for example how energy security is related to social exclusion? Social exclusion in the paper is defined as process in which the minimum quality of life is not available for the individual or conditions that increase insecurity, shame, psychological discomfort, lack of confidence, lack of self respect and dignity. The ambition of this article is to contribute to consistency of theoretical discussion by tackling energy security to social exclusion as well as by setting methodological guidelines for the assesment of energy security impact on social exclusion. Based on various theories and research models the methodological framework is being laid down in the paper which would encompass such questions as - how public interest is recognized and represented in energy security policy; how (and if at all) the interest of smaller social groups (environmentalists, pensioners, poor, etc.) is defined and represented; whether energy security policy acknowledges interest of poor, deprived and disenfranchised individuals or addresses solely to active and powerful (from consumption point of view) individuals; how existing energy security policy treats and fosters to feel vulnerable groups?

The relevance of this article is based on the aim to fulfill the lack of understanding of public perception on energy security. Despite the fact that energy security problems in Lithuania are analyzed on a regular basis, however, there is no comprehensive research on the very issue of the public perception of energy security. The results of the empirical survey (public poll carried out in 2013) are used to explain the public perception of energy security and its main aspects, and to show the existing difference of society opinion between different social groups in regard to gender, age, education, occupation, income and living area. The research showed that variety of different aspects are taken into account in public perception on energy security. The dominance of “The prices of energy resources” (mean – 4.35) and “Reliability of energy supply services” (mean – 4.25) was fixated throughout different social groups. The three most ambivalently ranked aspects were “Development of oil extraction” (mean – 3.50), “Development of nuclear energy” (mean – 3.30) and “Development of shale gas extraction” (mean – 3.08).