August 21, 2005
"Altruistic" Military Service - Repost
JK's August 13 post on altruism and military service didn't get a reply until August 19. It dropped off the main page the next day, so I'm reposting it now (through the preceding hyperlink.) It's five comments are worthwhile reading, and will lead to a new posting from me (as soon as I can make the time for it) about modern views of military service.
Philosophy Posted by JohnGalt at August 21, 2005 2:12 PM
Prior to the invasion of Iraq one of my "altrustic" ideas was that an free and democratic Iraq would cause oil prices to drop, as the fields would be run by people interested in making as much as possible.
Being in the oil biz, I didn't believe that that was the case.
With cheaper oil, more marginal operations, including American ones would be hurt by cheaper oil imports.
Am I way wrong? Or is that still going to happen?
Posted by: AlexC at August 21, 2005 5:48 PMAlex:
You know the biz better than I, but I suspect that the demand side of the equation has changed irreversibly. Demand from China and India will keep even marginal sites pumping.
As for Iraq, one of the concerns with an oil sharing scheme as I posted above is that government might get overly involved in production. A heavily nationalized Iraqi oil company would not necessarily optimize production.
Better to hatch a neocon plot to invade Venezuela! Kick Luis out, steal their oil!
Posted by: jk at August 22, 2005 1:36 PMNo you're correct. The demand is up dramatically. Three years ago, gas was cheap. It's just amazing that the demand has changed like it did.
Posted by: AlexC at August 22, 2005 2:14 PM | What do you think? [3]