Oil politics is one of the most dynamic and necessary challenge that faces modern day politicians. When the topic of politics mixes with the issue of oil you get a very strong voice of opinion between many different political parties and interest groups. Oil has been a very main issue today with the United States war on terror in Iraq. Oil also has many different purposes when speaking of the issue domestically.
             Power is the ability to cause others to modify their behavior and to conform to what the power holder wants. (Bardes, Shelly 10) In other words power is very desirable possession, and can give the power holder the upper hand in many different areas. "Artificially produced energy is the crucial source of motive power for the entire material process of life in a modern society."( Vierteljahreszeitschrift 1-01) Who ever has the power over the oil that fuels today's world has the power over the energy that oil produces to run the world today.
             Oil politics has to do with manipulating power and leverage to whom posses the upper hand in the oil industry, domestically and internationally. "The battle for oil dominance between Russia and Saudi Arabia will intensify and could bring significant changes for the world economy over the next decade or so."(Dan Morgan, Washington Post). Manipulation is a key term, and key tactic, when the topic of politics is brought up. Politicians will do anything to manipulate oil politics until the power over oil is theirs. The kind of leverage given to whom posses the control over the oil is best displayed by OPEC. As oil prices go up," light crude for November delivery rose 93 cents to $52.02 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a record settlement high."(Foss, AP business), because OPEC has the power to do what ever they please with their oil export. OPEC is Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which international organization primarily concern...