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Timothy Mitchell

Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil

Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil

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  • More about Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil

The development of coal power gave producers the ability to shut down energy systems, leading to the rise of mass democracies. Oil offered an alternative, creating a denatured political life dependent on an undemocratic Middle East. This has resulted in an impoverished political practice incapable of addressing the crises that threaten to end the age of carbon democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Verso Books


The advent of coal power brought with it a newfound power for those involved in its development: the ability to shut down energy systems. This threat was harnessed by the producers to establish the first mass democracies. However, oil presented a different path, offering the West an alternative to coal. With oil came a new form of politics, one that centered around the economy and believed in its infinite potential for growth. This led to a Western democracy that was heavily reliant on an undemocratic Middle East.

The consequences of this decision are far-reaching and have had a profound impact on our world today. We live in a time of unprecedented political practice, unable to address the crises that threaten to end the age of carbon democracy. These crises include the disappearance of cheap energy and the carbon-fueled collapse of the ecological order.

In his new preface to this updated edition, Timothy Mitchell takes a fresh look at the arguments presented in the book and assesses their relevance in the light of recent political events. He argues that the pursuit of economic growth has led to a distorted political life, where the economy has become the central object of attention, capable of infinite growth. This has resulted in a Western democracy that is dependent on an undemocratic Middle East, where the interests of the West are prioritized over the rights and well-being of the people living there.

Mitchell's book is a timely reminder of the dangers of unchecked economic growth and the need for a more sustainable and equitable political system. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots of our current political and economic crises and the challenges we face in the years to come.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 210 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804292495
Edition number: 3 ed

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