Oil And Tyranny

Getting away from petroleum as our primary energy source might do more to foster democratization than any war and any occupation. Burma is a prime example:

A life saver for the regime, this abundance of natural resources has been far from a blessing for the Burmese people since it ensures that the junta can buy weapons and surveillance technology to suppress dissent, and the global environment of energy scarcity makes neighboring nations (even India, “the world’s largest democracy”) increasingly reluctant to criticize or pressure the regime.

Hat tip: Bookforum.