Oil, the State, and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

Oil-rich states are more likely to start war than their oil-dependent counterparts, and their wealth props up the global arms trade, provides diplomatic leverage, and allows them to support violent and nonviolent proxies. Emma Ashford's book Oil, the State, and War explores the many potential links between domestic oil production and foreign policy behavior and how oil production influences global politics. She creates an original classification of three types of petrostates: oil-dependent states, oil-wealthy states, and super-producer states, and illustrates how oil shapes petrostates' behavior, filling a major gap in our understanding of the international implications of oil wealth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2022
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Oil-rich states have long been a source of concern in the international community due to their potential to create bad actors. While oil-dependent states are weakened by the resource curse, oil-wealthy states are made rich by oil exports, and super-producer states form the backbone of the global oil market. However, not all petrostates have the same characteristics or capabilities, and it is important to understand these differences in order to conceptualize their behavior. In her book, Oil, the State, and War, Emma Ashford creates an original classification of three types of petrostates: oil-dependent states, oil-wealthy states, and super-producer states. Through a combination of case studies and analysis, Ashford illustrates how oil shapes petrostates' behavior, filling a major gap in our understanding of the international implications of oil wealth.

One of the key findings of Ashford's book is that oil-rich states are more likely to start war than their oil-dependent counterparts. This is due to a variety of factors, including the resource curse, the diplomatic leverage that oil exports provide, and the ability to support violent and nonviolent proxies. For example, oil-rich states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been involved in conflicts in the Middle East, while oil-dependent states such as Venezuela and Nigeria have been plagued by political instability and economic crises.

Another important finding of Ashford's book is that oil production influences global politics. Oil is a major source of energy for the world, and its price can have a significant impact on global economic growth and stability. When oil prices rise, oil-rich states can increase their revenue and use this money to support their foreign policy goals. However, when oil prices fall, oil-rich states can experience economic hardship and may be forced to cut back on their foreign policy spending.

Ashford's book also highlights the agency and power enjoyed by petrostates. While oil-rich states are often treated as passive objects, subject to the energy security needs of Western importing states, Ashford argues that petrostates have a significant amount of control over their own resources and can use this control to shape international affairs. For example, oil-rich states can use their oil exports to influence the prices of other commodities, such as food and medicine, and can use their diplomatic leverage to influence the policies of other countries.

However, Ashford also warns that oil production can have negative consequences for the environment and human health. Oil spills, air pollution, and climate change are all major issues that are associated with oil production, and these issues can have a significant impact on the lives of people around the world. Ashford argues that petrostates have a responsibility to address these issues and to work towards a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, Oil, the State, and War is a comprehensive challenge to prevailing understanding of the international implications of oil wealth. Ashford's book highlights the diversity of petrostates and how they shape international affairs, and it provides a valuable insight into the agency and power enjoyed by these states. While oil production can have negative consequences for the environment and human health, petrostates have a responsibility to address these issues and to work towards a more sustainable future.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 162 x 237 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647122379