Impact of oil revenues on foreign policy: a comparative analysis of Iran and Kuwait, 1974-1978
This study compares the pattern of investment and expenditure of oil revenues to discern the existence of common and divergent elements in the policies of these Persian Gulf members of OPEC: one small Arab country, and one large non-Arab country with basic human and technical infrastructure. The study specifically surveys the utilization of oil revenues for the purchase of arms and technology, and for foreign aid programs. Externally, the economic upsurge during this period generated a new quasi-independent economic and political foreign policy. This quasi-independence is reflected, in part, by the ability to choose partners and allies without fearing financial reprisal from the major and super powers; by greater self reliance and greater freedom of action and the ability to impose their will; by their ability to exert integrative or disintegrative economic pressure on alliances and pursue conflict or cooperation with other nations; and finally by their potential ability to draw other states into regional conflicts and to influence the global balance of power. The study views oil as the overriding factor, among multiple operative factors in determinants of foreign policy in this strategically crucial region. Oil contributes not only as a substantial part of the gross national product, but also provides the bulk of the nation's export and foreign exchange revenues needed for import. As such, its influence dwarfs the importance of non-oil trade.
- OSTI ID:
- 5196542
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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