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Historically the main problem with state control of oil hasn't so much been "a lack of accountability" as "The united states government and client states aggres

by airza 6y ago

Historically the main problem with state control of oil hasn't so much been "a lack of accountability" as "The united states government and client states aggressively destabilize your country in order to facilitate access for private oil companies"

Robotbeat 6y ago
Russia meddles as well, although they do it as competitors... Russia makes more money from oil and gas if the Middle East has “problems” with oil & gas production.
andrepd 6y ago
Unless you are friendly towards the US already, if so then you can be the worst exporter of Wahabbi extremism and we'll sell you billions in weapons to massacre your neighbors.
JumpCrisscross 6y ago
Rulers of resource-rich countries can maintain power while ignoring their populations. Rulers of resource-poor countries depend on their population's productivity for income. This is why autocracy and resource riches go hand in hand far beyond the effects of American hegemony.
- Aunche 6y ago
  Saudi Arabia and other oil countries treat their citizens very well. Many of them collect a fat paycheck from the government without having to do anything. Unskilled migrant workers however do not have it so nice.
imtringued 6y ago
No, it has more to do with the fact that an authoritarian state can fund itself with oil. Elite politicians and oil companies employees live a modern westernized lifestyle but the rest of the population remains in deep poverty. Those politicians aren't lacking anything but since the oil trade is deeply connected with the government anything that doesn't involve oil will weaken the government's influence over the country. It is much easier to stay in power by oppressing your population. There is also the opposite scenario. You have an economic sector that is so incredibly lucrative that you can just bribe your way to popularity by creating a welfare state. Anything that pushes the focus away from the main sector would also involve losing the welfare benefits even though it is better in the long run. Here comes a terrible analogy. Oil is like an economic painkiller. The pain is gone but you are still injured.
- zentiggr 6y ago
  Not so bad an analogy... Venezuela is suffering just so.

by airza 6y ago

Robotbeat 6y ago

Russia meddles as well, although they do it as competitors... Russia makes more money from oil and gas if the Middle East has “problems” with oil & gas production.

andrepd 6y ago

Unless you are friendly towards the US already, if so then you can be the worst exporter of Wahabbi extremism and we'll sell you billions in weapons to massacre your neighbors.

JumpCrisscross 6y ago

Rulers of resource-rich countries can maintain power while ignoring their populations. Rulers of resource-poor countries depend on their population's productivity for income. This is why autocracy and resource riches go hand in hand far beyond the effects of American hegemony.

Aunche 6y ago
Saudi Arabia and other oil countries treat their citizens very well. Many of them collect a fat paycheck from the government without having to do anything. Unskilled migrant workers however do not have it so nice.

imtringued 6y ago

No, it has more to do with the fact that an authoritarian state can fund itself with oil. Elite politicians and oil companies employees live a modern westernized lifestyle but the rest of the population remains in deep poverty. Those politicians aren't lacking anything but since the oil trade is deeply connected with the government anything that doesn't involve oil will weaken the government's influence over the country. It is much easier to stay in power by oppressing your population. There is also the opposite scenario. You have an economic sector that is so incredibly lucrative that you can just bribe your way to popularity by creating a welfare state. Anything that pushes the focus away from the main sector would also involve losing the welfare benefits even though it is better in the long run. Here comes a terrible analogy. Oil is like an economic painkiller. The pain is gone but you are still injured.

zentiggr 6y ago
Not so bad an analogy... Venezuela is suffering just so.