Oily deals : exploration, diplomacy and security in early Cold War France and Italy
Oil is one of the most widespread high-density energy sources in the world: its importance for the military-industrial complex became even more evident in the postwar context. In this framework, establishing the conditions for accessing the world's oil-rich areas became essential for states, not only to provide for their own energy needs, but also to buttress national economic and geostrategic interests, and protect energy security. In addition, regulating the oil flow between countries afforded the ability to influence their operational capabilities. Exploiting oil as a geopolitical weapon was not distinctive of the two global hegemonic powers, but was also employed by less powerful countries, such as France and Italy. My thesis shows how, from the second half of the 1940s, successive Italian and French administrations established agencies for hydrocarbon management, and devised strategies of oil exploration according to their political agendas. Achieving energy autonomy was the main objective of both countries. However, the predominance of Anglo-American interests in both French and Italian oil scenarios led to continuous bilateral diplomatic tensions, especially over issues of exploration rights. Anglo-American
Cantoni, Roberto
oil ; Cold War ; France ; Italy ; diplomatic history ; STS
Oily deals : exploration, diplomacy and security in early Cold War France and Italy. Oil is one of the most widespread high-density energy sources in the world: its importance for the military-industrial complex became even more evident in the postwar context. In this framework, establishing the conditions for accessing the world's oil-rich areas became essential for states, not only to provide for their own energy needs, but also to buttress national economic and geostrategic interests, and protect energy security. In addition, regulating the oil flow between countries afforded the ability to influence their operational capabilities. Exploiting oil as a geopolitical weapon was not distinctive of the two global hegemonic powers, but was also employed by less powerful countries, such as France and Italy. My thesis shows how, from the second half of the 1940s, successive Italian and French administrations established agencies for hydrocarbon management, and devised strategies of oil exploration according to their political agendas. Achieving energy autonomy was the main objective of both countries. However, the predominance of Anglo-American interests in both French and Italian oil scenarios led to continuous bilateral diplomatic tensions, especially over issues of exploration rights. Anglo-American
deal exploration diplomacy security early_cold_war france italy oil widespread high density energy source world importance military industrial complex become even evident postwar context framework_establish condition access world oil rich area become essential state provide energy need also national_economic interest protect energy security addition regulate oil flow country afford ability influence operational capability oil geopolitical weapon distinctive global hegemonic power also_employ less powerful country france italy show successive italian french administration establish agency management strategy oil exploration accord political_agenda achieving energy autonomy main_objective country however predominance anglo_american interest french italian oil scenario lead continuous bilateral diplomatic tension especially issue exploration right anglo_american