Abstract

The term dependency has a direct reference to the Southern developing nations, which through their underdeveloped state, are reliant on the Northern developed nations. However, the international oil politics gives a totally different picture of dependency. This is because Northern developed nations, disadvantaged in both reserves and production, but with a very large appetite for oil, are dependent on the South for he product that is critical to their economics and civilization. There is therefore a clash of the two dependencies; one that is structural and the other that is product. A critical analysis is thus done in this notable clash in contemporary international relations.

Key words:  Oil politics, dependency.