Accession Number:

ADA026375

Title:

The Impact of the Arab Decision-Makers on the Oil Market

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Hull, Lee B.

Report Date:

1976-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

114.0

Abstract:

This thesis examines the political arena of the oil industry, and the decision-makers of the Arab oil countries. The two primary areas of study are OPEC and the various political relationships, both inter-arab and Arab-Western. The oil weapon strategies are analyzed as a form of deterrence. The main hypothesis is that these countries have three options available in which to utilize their oil weapon embargo production slow down and price fixing and raising. The potential of each option is analyzed in detail based on the attitudes, goals, reactions and various oil market roles of the countries involved. The conclusion reached is that, with only those three options available, the oil weapon is becoming less of a credible deterrent. Only total embargo currently remains as a plausible option. Both sides are beginning to realize that an equilibrium state of supply and demand is the only realistic alternative to ensure that all parties derive maximum benefit from an expendable resource.

Descriptors:

• *DECISION MAKING
• *DETERRENCE
• *MIDDLE EAST
• *PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
• ALGERIA
• ECONOMICS
• EGYPT
• INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
• INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• IRAN
• IRAQ
• ISRAEL
• LIBYA
• SAUDI ARABIA
• STRATEGY
• THESES

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Government and Political Science

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE