What is it about?
This book discusses oil urbanization and protest under the impact of petro-capitalism. It focuses on the emergent oil conurbation as theater and object of contention by a variety of actors, including traditional local elites, oil workers and subaltern classes.
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Why is it important?
This book examines how the surging global demand for oil in the twentieth century shaped Saudi Arabia—a country that remains the world’s leading producer of oil and gas and a key player in the transition toward new energy futures. The complex evolution of Saudi Arabia’s petroleum landscape is seen as both heritage and responsibility, reminding major industrial nations and energy consumers of the far-reaching costs of large-scale resource extraction and energy consumption. Its history also serves as a crucial point of reference today, as European governments seek to secure energy supplies and maintain political stability amid ongoing conflict and tension across Eurasia.
Perspectives
Researching and writing this book offered a unique opportunity to delve deeply into the complex history of Saudi Arabia’s oil province—its evolving landscape, its people, and the transformation of its society and political economy. I remain deeply impressed by the remarkable achievements of the oil workers, construction crews, day laborers, and local communities of that era—the tremendous effort and determination required to overcome countless challenges along the way. At the same time, this research sheds light on how governments and corporations have been willing to manipulate and divide societies in pursuit of their own objectives.
Claudia Ghrawi
ZMO Berlin
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This page is a summary of: Introduction, October 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004735514_002.
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