Resource Wars

Question 0

Why is there conflict over oil

Answer 0

Oil= energy, raw material for industry (plastics), military supply

Question 1

2 approaches to scarcity

Answer 1

Malthusian: pop growth vs productivity growth

Henry George: creativity

Question 2

Oil and international conflict

Answer 2

Decolonisation: europe lost direct access to supplies post WW2
1930s: US made good relations w Saudi Arabia (1/4 world supply)- oil 4 security deal
Oil is crucial for source of Russia’s new wealth

Question 3

Oil and internal conflict

Answer 3

Resource curse- economy too focused on 1 commodity- less growth in other sectors
Nationalisation of oil industry

Question 4

Oil and policies

Answer 4

Realist- oil=strategic resource (policy aim to increase access)
Marxist- capitalism expands and seeks new markets and cheap ear materials
Liberal- weak institutions and democracy and incentives to control resource=’likely to cause internal conflict
Constructivist- oil is intrinsically strategic. Should we change our view of it? Is it worth fighting for?

Question 5

Water

Answer 5

Basic human need

No strong industrial role (agriculture) –> scarcity

Question 6

Water and unlikely domestic conflict

Answer 6

Weak evidence that scarcity–> conflict

Question 7

Water and likely intern. Cooperation

Answer 7

Upstream/downstream countries with shared interests in benefiting from common dam- Anatolia
Little practical military purpose