Energy Kingdoms: Oil and Political Survival in the Persian Gulf

The Gulf monarchies, which discovered oil in the 1930s, have become wealthy but face a dilemma due to high consumption rates and the threat of climate change. Jim Krane's book "Energy Kingdoms" explores how energy subsidies have distorted demand and the challenges Gulf leaders face in maintaining their states' viability.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 08 January 2019
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain, experienced a remarkable transformation after the discovery of oil in the 1930s. These once impoverished and isolated nations have now become some of the most ostentatiously wealthy countries in the world. To maintain their support, the ruling sheikhs have provided their subjects with boundless cheap energy, inadvertently leading to some of the highest consumption rates on the planet. However, as summertime temperatures set new records, the Gulfs rulers find themselves caught in a dilemma: can they curb their profligacy without jeopardizing the survival of some of the world's last absolute monarchies?

In his book, Energy Kingdoms, Jim Krane delves into the complex dynamics of these monarchies' energy use and policies. He traces the history of the Gulf states' energy consumption, highlighting how energy subsidies have distorted demand. Oil exports are the lifeline of their political-economic systems and the foundation of their strategic importance, but domestic consumption has begun to outpace exports, while climate change threatens to render their desert regions uninhabitable. At stake are the very way of life of the sheikhdoms, their relations with their Western protectors, and their political stability in a volatile region.

Krane's book is backed by rich fieldwork and deep knowledge of the region, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the Gulf leaders. He expertly lays out the hard choices that these leaders must make to keep their states viable in the face of rapidly changing energy landscapes and global economic pressures. The book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between energy, politics, and society in the Gulf region and sheds light on the urgent need for sustainable development and energy policy reform.

In conclusion, Energy Kingdoms is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of the Gulf monarchies and the challenges they face in the 21st century. By examining the history of energy use and policies, Krane provides a valuable perspective on the choices that these leaders must make to ensure the long-term sustainability of their states and the region as a whole.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 235 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231179300