International minerals cartels and embargoes: policy implications for the United States

Book · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6473255

Klass, M W; Burrows, J C; Beggs, S D

The continued existence of the petroleum cartel (OPEC), disruptions of petroleum supplies from Iran, and civil disturbances in Zaire, the source of much of the world's cobalt, highlight the industrial world's dependence on a relatively few suppliers of important materials. In addition, fears of cartel price gouging and politically motivated embargoes continue to provide a basis for much of US energy policy. This book addresses the policy issues posed by such risks; it assesses the likelihood of cartels or embargoes involving a number of important materials, and then applies a consistent economic framework to evaluate a range of policies the United States might adopt in anticipation of such contingencies. The work applies a consistent analytical framework to evaluate the economic merits of a wide range of economic policies, including stockpiling, development of alternative technologies, tariffs, and subsidies. It is industry specific, covering petroleum as well as six other major nonfuel minerals, and focuses primarily on the economic merits of the policies considered. The authors do not attempt to treat the full range of foreign- and domestic-policy considerations raised by the problem of potentially insecure imported materials. 17 references, 7 figures, 3 tables.

• OSTI ID: 6473255
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
CARTELS
COOPERATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EMBARGOES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
MINERAL INDUSTRY
MINERALS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SHORTAGES
SUPPLY DISRUPTION
TRADE
VULNERABILITY