The triumph of pragmatism: Nigeria's role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7010610

Dimah, A

Formed in 1960, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) became a key participant in the international oil industry after the so-called oil shock in the early 1970s. OPEC's power in world trade increased tremendously during the 1970s and, as oil prices skyrocketed, literature on OPEC proliferated. Although OPEC's demise has often been predicted since its creation; it has, however, endured. Thus study examines OPEC from distinct vantage points: those of regime theory, oligopoly models, and cartel theory. The aim is to gain insight into the activities of the organization as a whole and in terms of the behavior of one of its members, the Government of Nigeria. The objective is to ascertain which of these theories, or aspects of the theories, best describes OPEC's activities and Nigeria's actions as a member. The review of OPEC and Nigeria's role in its demonstrates that OPEC is difficult to classify. It is more than anything, a fluid coalition of Third World countries seeking to improve their national economies by ensuring better prices for crude oil, their chief export product; and helping other Third World countries focus global awareness on the chronic political and economic inequities in the international system. Therefore, OPEC and Nigeria's role is best explained by coalition theory.

• Research Organization: Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7010610
• 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
AFRICA
COOPERATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NIGERIA
OIL-EXPORTING COUNTRIES
OPEC
ORGANIZING
POLITICAL ASPECTS
REVIEWS