Proliferation of extremist / dictatorial regimes

Description

By Mihai Andreoiu

The last twenty years have seen substantial unrest in some important oil producing countries. The 1990-91 Gulf War, the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the current problems with Iran and the emerging dictatorial regime of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela have all affected the world political and economical landscape. In fact few of the top exporter oil countries can be called stable or democratic countries. Further examples of authoritarian regimes include Lybia and even Russia some political analysts might consider.

Proliferation of such regimes in major oil producing countries can have critical consequences on the availability of oil as this will be used more as political weapon rather than to bring a good economic benefit. It is well known that dictatorships are not very efficient from an economic perspective which is also factor driving towards reduced export capacity of these countries. As example in Venezuela Hugo Chavez's regime fired almost 20,000 professionals from PDVSA (Petroleos de Venezuela SA) following a strike and replaced them with army personel or volunteers from Cuba with no experience.

Paradigms

- Old paradigm:

- New paradigm: