A Prelude to the Foundation of Political Economy Oil, War, and Global Polity [Hardcover]

A Prelude to the Foundation of Political Economy is a groundbreaking volume of theory and strategy on political economy and polity of the twenty-first century. Distilled in concrete terms, it elucidates the enigma of oil in view of the centrality of global social relations.Introduction 1. World Oil and the Crisis of Globalization 2. World of Modern Petroleum and the Oil Rent 3. OPEC: Beyond Political Battering and Economic Romanticism 4. The Globalization of Oil 5. Oil and Capital: 'Logic' of History and 'Logic' of Territory 6. Globalization of Energy 7. War, Oil, and Conundrum of Hegemony

Bina uses his skills as an economist and his career research background as an oil expert to provide both a plethora of interesting information and acute analysis. . . . The study is well framed conceptually and grounded on thorough research. The sections on cartels and 'rent' add an important dimension to the field of oil economics. - Recommended in CHOICE

The new book by Professor Bina places the trade in and production of petroleum into their global context, and relates them to changing conditions of political power at the international level. One need not be an expert to understand and appreciate the important arguments in this book. - John Weeks, Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of London, UK

This is a seminal work which demonstrates in convincing fashion, both in the abstract and concrete simultaneously, that the world is a different place since the 1970s; and, it needs to be understood as such. Conventional understanding of competition, imperialism and U.S. hegemony are seen as outdated; and policy prescriptions like, 'energy independence' and 'war for oil' delusional. If one wants to truly understand the history of oil within the context of capitalist development with all its economic and political ramifications this is the book to read. - Chuck Davis, Professor of Labor Studies, Indiana University, USA

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