In class today, we discussed oil and the effect it has on the Middle East. One of the discussion questions addressed was: Does oil promote stability or instability in the region?
For starters, there's no doubt that oil is a major source of revenue for Middle Eastern states. Oil has also been a basis for cooperation, leading to trade agreements and multinational organizations between the nations in the region. In this sense, oil has had some effect on stability. However, I would argue that the presence of oil has made the Middle East more unstable than stable. This is not to say that oil is the main cause of instability amongst states, but it does contribute.
If we imagined a world without oil, i think it's fair to say that the Middle East would be a more peaceful place. Sure, there would still be political and economical disputes amongst states. Cultural differences would still be sources of contention. But without oil, the Middle East would be reduced to a region that would be largely irrelevant within the international system, and internal struggles between and within states over what to do with their reserves wouldn't exist. The states of OAPEC wouldn't jockey for position and influence within the cartel, and Iraq wouldn't be facing the internal problems over oil amongst its ethnic groups. With that said, I think much instability is caused by foreign presence in the region, which is largely in part to their want for oil. Countries like the US are involved in peacekeeping policies in the Middle East, but their motives aren't purely altruistic. Washington is concerned about the dynamics of Middle East politics because it wants oil and it wants to obtain it as easily as possible. Thus the US tries to impose its influence and power on the region so that it can get oil. However, Middle Eastern states see this as a form of colonization and an attack on their sovereignty and therefore are aggressive towards the US among others. While directed towards the US, this is still a source of instability in the region, and the root cause is oil.
Again, even without oil, these states would still be caught up in power politics, which would lead to instability, but I think that the presence of oil contributes to that instability. Thoughts?
I definitely agree with you that though there is some stability in oil, it mostly causes instability. Though OPEC formed and represents some sort of regional institution, the member states of OPEC manly look out for themselves. As you note, the fact that these states even have oil spur foreign intervention, which is also unsettling for a state. Oil also increases power politics in region; whoever gets the most money is the victor. Without oil, I think there would be less competition between states, decreased nationalism, and eventually lead to an integrated Arab institution in order to make the region relevant in the world economy.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree that oil is a major factor in bringing instablity to the Middle East. To move forward, I think oil producing countries need to begin taking steps in learning to produce refined oil (an actual product) instead of exporting the product, and losing out on addational profit which can help their countires. Hopefully, this can provide addational jobs for those living in the Middle East. I think the U.S. can help countries who do not have oil, to find a niche that can supplement their ecnomoy. By helping undeveloped countries in the Middle East develop their economies, perhaps the tension amongst each country will diminish enough for Arab unity.
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