The global history of oil politics, from World War I to the present, can teach us much about world politics, climate change, and international order in the twenty-first century. When and why does international order change? The largest peaceful transfer of wealth across borders in all of human...

"With this book, Bob Vitalis tackles the geopolitical "truths" about oil: that US presence in the Gulf and our relationship with Saudi Arabia is necessary to stabilize an otherwise volatile market; that US oil independence is necessary to prevent foreign powers from controlling and limiting...

Intro -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1 The History of Oil and International Affairs -- 2 The Illiberal Political Economy of Oil -- 3 Oil, American Diplomacy, and Weak Institutions -- 4 Oil and International Security -- 5 Oil and US Grand Strategy -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Index.

Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1 The History of Oil and International Affairs -- 2 The Illiberal Political Economy of Oil -- 3 Oil, American Diplomacy, and Weak Institutions -- 4 Oil and International Security -- 5 Oil and US Grand Strategy -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Index