OPEC as a non-state actor: formation and dynamics

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5458131

Dredi, I B

Factors that have promoted the formation of OPEC and the dynamics of its confrontation with the multinational oil companies (MNOCs) are analyzed. The rise of OPEC is examined from the perspective of the growing literature on non-state actors within the international system. The central hypothesis is that OPEC emerged as a collective-bargaining instrument, but has become a non-state actor that impacts upon as well as serves the policies of its member-states. As a corollary it is assumed that the politics of oil in the 1960s can best be understood as the clash of two non-state actors - OPEC and MNOCs, both involved in changing relationships with their home governments. This study utilizes the non-state actor approach to explain the growing importance of OPEC within the international political and economic system. The study concludes that although OPEC did make structural changes in the international oil industry previously concentrated in the hands of the MNOCs, it did not press to the point that the international economic system was threatened. Moreover, OPEC proved to be a responsible international actor in a number of specific respects. It attempted to provide financial aid to those Third World countries adversely affected by the energy crisis of 1973-1974. OPEC members recycled their financial wealth in the international monetary system. On occasion it restrained some members from pushing for higher prices. This benefitting the Western industrial oil-consuming nations. As a result OPEC served as a stabilizing factor in the international oil industry.

• OSTI ID: 5458131
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020700* -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OIL-EXPORTING COUNTRIES
OPEC
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
POLITICAL ASPECTS