Collaborative Colonialism : The Political Economy of Oil in the Persian Gulf

This book is an analysis of how oil has affected governance and human, political, and economic development in the countries of the Persian Gulf and shaped these countries' relations with the rest of the world. Since the discovery of oil, the countries of the Persian Gulf have been caught in a vicious circle. With increasing oil revenues, rulers have made self-enrichment their motivation while foreign powers have exploited the region and provided support for oppressive regimes. Early exploitation of the region's oil was colonial in practice; today, oppressive rulers and foreigners work hand-in-hand to the detriment of the citizenry. Rulers have no incentives to foster good institutions, especially the rule of law, as independent and efficient institutions would undermine their control over oil revenues. This book takes a chronological look at the impact of oil in the region and examines how vast oil revenues have encouraged oppressive governance and corrupted development policies, impeding human, political, and economic progress. Hossein Askari argues that there is an urgent need for visionary political and economic reform in order to prevent a regional catastrophe. Rulers must start by publicly acknowledging that oil belongs to the people of all generations and that it must be managed accordingly - efficiently, equitably, and transparently (site de l'éditeur) THE EVOLVING ROLE OF OIL IN THE PERSIAN GULF 1. Before Oil-Political and Economic Conditions in the Persian Gulf 2. Oil-Discovery and Production in the Persian Gulf (1900-1945) 3. Oil-The Early Years, OPEC, and Its Empowerment (1945-1979) 4. Oil-The Turbulent Years (1979-2001) 5. Oil-The Most Recent Years (2001-2013) THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF OIL AND TRANSITION TO OIL-LESS ECONOMIES 6. Oil-Islam, Ownership, and Institutions 7. Oil-Foreign Interference 8. Oil-The Fallout in the Persian Gulf 9. After Oil-Transition to Oil-Less Economies 10. Conclusion Before Oil-political And Economic Conditions In The Persian Gulf -- Oil-discovery And Production In The Persian Gulf (1900-1945) -- Oil-the Early Years, Opec, And Its Empowerment (1945-1979) -- Oil-the Turbulent Years (1979-2001) -- Oil-the Most Recent Years (2001-2013) -- Oil-islam, Ownership, And Institutions -- Oil-foreign Interference -- Oil-the Fallout In The Persian Gulf -- After Oil-transition To Oil-less Economies -- Conclusion. Hossein Askari. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.