War, Work, and Want: How the OPEC Oil Crisis Caused Mass Migration and Revolution

The 1973 oil shock caused global migration to triple, leading to the growth of nationalist-populist parties blaming immigrants for collapsing standards of living. This book will reshape our understanding of the past half-century of global history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The 1973 oil shock had a profound and lasting impact on the world, marking a significant turning point in global history. Its far-reaching consequences altered the course of economic growth, destabilized Middle Eastern politics, and set in motion a chain of events that resulted in over one hundred million unexpected and unwelcome immigrants. In his book, "War, Work, and Want," Randall Hansen delves into the surprising surge in global migration that occurred after 1970, challenging prevailing explanations and offering a fresh perspective.

The oil shock of 1973 brought about a significant shift in the global economy. The quadrupling of oil prices and the accompanying inflation caused economic growth in the West to stagnate, while the Middle East experienced a surge in oil wealth. As American and European consumers faced rising prices and depleted wealth, they sought to rebuild their standard of living by employing cheap labor, including migrants. This shift in labor dynamics led to a significant increase in the number of immigrants entering Western countries.

The Middle East, too, felt the effects of the oil crisis. The region experienced a historic wealth transfer, but it also became a breeding ground for political instability, revolution, and war. Tens of millions of refugees fled to neighboring countries, seeking safety and a better life. The refugee crisis further exacerbated the economic and migratory challenges faced by the Middle East.

The oil shock of 1973 also had significant implications for domestic politics around the world. It fueled the growth of nationalist-populist parties that blamed immigrants for declining standards of living and economic problems. These parties often propagated false narratives and xenophobic rhetoric, further dividing societies and exacerbating social tensions.

In examining the causes of the massive upsurge in global migration after 1973, Hansen draws attention to the interplay between war, work, and want. War, as the primary driver of refugee flows, displaced millions of people and created a need for humanitarian assistance and resettlement. Work, in the form of labor migrants, provided a source of cheap labor for Western countries, contributing to economic growth. And want, driven by the desire for ever cheaper products made by migrants, fueled consumer demand and drove the growth of global supply chains.

"War, Work, and Want" offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the economic, political, and social factors that contributed to the surge in global migration after 1973. Hansen challenges the notion that migration is solely a result of economic factors and emphasizes the complex interplay between various factors. His book will reshape our understanding of the past half-century of global history, shedding light on the complex web of factors that have shaped our world today.

In conclusion, the oil shock of 1973 had a profound and lasting impact on the world, altering the course of economic growth, destabilizing Middle Eastern politics, and setting in motion a chain of events that resulted in over one hundred million unexpected and unwelcome immigrants. Randall Hansen's book, "War, Work, and Want," offers a fresh perspective on the surge in global migration that occurred after 1970, challenging prevailing explanations and offering a comprehensive analysis of the economic, political, and social factors that contributed to this phenomenon. By examining the interplay between war, work, and want, Hansen sheds light on the complex web of factors that have shaped our world today and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities we face in the future.

Weight: 656g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197657690