After the discovery of oil in the 1930s, the Gulf monarchies--Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain--went from being among the world's poorest and most isolated places to some of its most ostentatiously wealthy. To maintain support, the ruling sheikhs provide their subjects with boundless cheap energy, unwittingly leading to some of the h After the discovery of oil in the 1930s, the Gulf monarchies--Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain--went from being among the world's poorest and most isolated places to some of its most ostentatiously wealthy. To maintain support, the ruling sheikhs provide their subjects with boundless cheap energy, unwittingly leading to some of the highest consumption rates on earth. Today, as summertime temperatures set new records, the Gulf's 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 Energy Kingdoms, Jim Krane takes readers inside these monarchies to consider their conundrum. He traces the history of the Gulf states' energy use and policies, looking in particular at how energy subsidies have distorted demand. Oil exports are the lifeblood of their political-economic systems--and the basis of their strategic importance--but domestic consumption has begun eating into exports while climate change threatens to render their desert region uninhabitable. At risk are the sheikhdoms' way of life, their relations with their Western protectors, and their political stability in a chaotic region. Backed by rich fieldwork and deep knowledge of the region, Krane expertly lays out the hard choices that Gulf leaders face to keep their states viable.
Energy Kingdoms: Oil and Political Survival in the Persian Gulf
After the discovery of oil in the 1930s, the Gulf monarchies--Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain--went from being among the world's poorest and most isolated places to some of its most ostentatiously wealthy. To maintain support, the ruling sheikhs provide their subjects with boundless cheap energy, unwittingly leading to some of the h After the discovery of oil in the 1930s, the Gulf monarchies--Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain--went from being among the world's poorest and most isolated places to some of its most ostentatiously wealthy. To maintain support, the ruling sheikhs provide their subjects with boundless cheap energy, unwittingly leading to some of the highest consumption rates on earth. Today, as summertime temperatures set new records, the Gulf's 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 Energy Kingdoms, Jim Krane takes readers inside these monarchies to consider their conundrum. He traces the history of the Gulf states' energy use and policies, looking in particular at how energy subsidies have distorted demand. Oil exports are the lifeblood of their political-economic systems--and the basis of their strategic importance--but domestic consumption has begun eating into exports while climate change threatens to render their desert region uninhabitable. At risk are the sheikhdoms' way of life, their relations with their Western protectors, and their political stability in a chaotic region. Backed by rich fieldwork and deep knowledge of the region, Krane expertly lays out the hard choices that Gulf leaders face to keep their states viable.
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Jessica –
A current and relevant must-read. I think this should be added to high school curricula and taught in the context of the oil shale revolution in the US.
Aisha –
This book takes you back in history before the discovery of oil in the Gulf Arab states. It suggests that the Gulf Arab states have lived two golden ages one before oil (with trading associated with hajj), and the second one is associated with oil discoveries. It then goes on to discuss how the IOC have been taking control of the oil export revenues for almost two decades before the Gulf elites started to demand control over their own resources. Importantly, the book provides a historical overvi This book takes you back in history before the discovery of oil in the Gulf Arab states. It suggests that the Gulf Arab states have lived two golden ages one before oil (with trading associated with hajj), and the second one is associated with oil discoveries. It then goes on to discuss how the IOC have been taking control of the oil export revenues for almost two decades before the Gulf elites started to demand control over their own resources. Importantly, the book provides a historical overview of the evolution of Gulf Arabs' energy policy, which has led to today's energy-economy-political dilemma. It argues that the abundance of cheap oil and gas resources have created unintended consequences that challenge the political and economic stability of the Gulf Arab states. In particular, the fossil fuel subsidies have been a driver for increasing domestic consumption, which has started to eat into the main source of income, oil exports. The drop in oil prices have put pressure over the Gulf states to rethink their social contract. Yet, the removal of these subsidies remains to be a difficult choice for the Gulf states should they choose to maintain the status quo.
Sachin Bhatia –
The quality of research is very good
Tyler N –
Energy Kingdoms is a well written and concise look at the political mechanics underlying the energy industry on the Arabian Peninsula. Krane aptly criticizes political theories where needed, and confirms others where appropriate. Overall the book is a greatly supported crash course on the middle eastern monarchies.
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