Humberto Ceden o. Knihy

During the 1830s, Italian scientist Agustin Codazzi and others sought to attract new settlers to Venezuela, which had been left under-populated after the War for Independence. Notably, 300 settlers from Southern Germany contributed to this effort. This situation contrasts sharply with the 1950s, when Venezuela, buoyed by its vast oil resources, appeared as a paradise in Latin America. The oil boom allowed the Venezuelan Government to profit significantly and, starting in the 1930s, to welcome European immigrants. This influx led to the emergence of a solid middle class, transforming the social structure into a modern society reflective of 20th-century values. This transformation represents a pivotal revolution in Venezuela's socio-cultural and political development. Supporting the views of Venezuelan intellectual Arturo Uslar Pietri, this research posits that oil served as a catalyst for profound social, cultural, and political changes, alongside significant economic transformation. Former German President Roman Herzog remarked that Venezuela should not be seen as a developing nation but rather as a potential economic power in the international community, with the oil industry playing a crucial role since 1922.

This investigation provides an empirical analysis of Iraqi oil production from its nationalization in 1972 to the 2003 Operation “Iraqi Freedom,” which resulted in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's Ba’th Party regime. The research explores the factors that led Iraq to impact the political stability of its oil-producing neighbors. Key reasons include Iraq's ambition to expand its oil industry, its alignment with the USSR to counter American influence, and historical imperial aspirations. To destabilize neighboring countries, Iraq employed various strategies, such as subversion through secret agents, military interventions, and ideological or economic warfare. The central theme of the research is Iraq's antagonistic stance toward its neighbors, driven by three main factors: its imperial-military ambitions, the significant influence of the USSR, and its desire for a larger share of the oil market. These elements collectively contributed to Iraq's efforts to undermine the political stability of the region.

En la década de los 90 la expresión común en muchos comentarios políticos era que „el Muro de Berlín cayó“. Esa idea pareciera tener vigencia todavía. La opresión sobre el individuo, cercenándole sus iniciativas pareciera ser la mejor receta para que la economía de un país colapse y con ella inclusive el mismo Estado-nación.