“In sum, countries that depend on oil for their livelihood eventually become among the most economically troubled, the most authoritarian, and the most conflict-ridden in the world.”
In delving into the big oil and gas industry Maddow investigates its link to the political stability of the nations involved. Through past cases and examination, she finds the correlation between the impact on socio-political dynamic and particularly the economic wellness of the countries with oil reserves. Maddow emphasizes the greed in the industry is deteriorating the social and economic structures of the countries harboring the resources. She affirms the oil and gas conglomerates are in a race to discover new sites and refine the product even at the cost of democracy, human welfare, and political stability.
“They depend on cheating. Putin and his minions cheat at the financial markets. They cheat at the Olympics. They cheat at their own fake democracy. They cheat other people out of their democracies.”
Maddow investigates the issue of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections to uncover the conspiracy and secrecy behind it. Therefore handles the problem of rampant corruption in governments by key political figures in the oil and gas industry. She discloses the oligarchy that takes place in the underworld workings of the political scene both local and foreign and how they connect to each other. She affirms Putin’s government was and still adamant in seeking political means of securing big profits in the industry at the cost of democracy. Maddow offers the claims through well-researched information that at times confrontational yet credible.
“They’ve fouled oceans, gulfs, lakes, rivers and streams around the world. They’ve induced man-made earthquakes, strewn radioactive waste about the landscape; killed off family pets and farm animals, sickened schoolchildren; turned state governments into impotent little quisling servants that rip off their own people to make sure the industry gets everything it wants, and more.”
Other than connecting the political sphere with the oil and gas industry Maddow also focuses on its severe effect on the climate crisis. The geopolitics surrounding the energy corporations, politicians, and climate change are explored from all angles to show their relations. She critiques the effect the industry has on the community in how it does more damage than good. The oil and gas industry has become competitive and its key players are acquisitive in ensuring survival thus measures in discovery are borderline undemocratic, damaging, and inconsiderate.
