Peter Maass, "The Curse of Oil" October 7, 2009

Every unhappy oil-producing nation is unhappy in its own way. But each is touched by what’s known as the resource curse — the power of oil to harm rather than help the countries that possess it. Oil extraction in Nigeria has led to village poverty and mass protest. In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez’s campaign to nationalize oil stirred controversy. In Angola, oil has driven separatist conflict. Around the world oil vastly enriches small ruling classes, degrades the environment, and destabilizes political and economic institutions as prices fluctuate. Peter Maass, New York Times Magazine writer and author of Crude World, visits Zócalo to explore the consequences of gas-guzzling, the paradox of plenty, and how to cure our addiction to oil.
Zócalo Public Square is a non-profit organization that builds community by broadening access to civic discourse. We present smart ideas in an open, welcoming, non-partisan, multi-ethnic space. Zócalo launched in Los Angeles in 2003. Since then the “public square” has traveled as far as Shanghai.
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ADMISSION:
Free, reservations recommended at www.zocalopublicsquare.org
Open to the public.
***Hosted wine reception after program***