This volume, originally published in 1982, brings together economists, political scientists and industry experts to explain OPEC's past achievements and future (in the early 1980s) prospects. The book opens with a clear, concise amd easy to follow treatment of the economics of exhaustible resources under monopoly and competition, the framework frequently used to examine pricing issues. The role of wealth maximisation, wealth satisficing and political factors as OPEC objectives are discussed and implications for world oil prices assessed. The stability of OPEC and the limitations of its pricing policy are examined and OPEC oil pricing and importers' policies analysed.

Griffin, James M. ; Teece, David J.

1. Introduction James M. Griffin and David J. Teece 2. OPEC As A Cartel Morris Adelman 3. OPEC Behaviour: An Alternative View David J. Teece 4. Modeling OPEC Behaivour: Economic and Political Alternatives Theodore Moran 5. The Limitaion to OPEC's Pricing Policy John H. Lichtblau 6. Recent Oil Price Escalations: Implications for OPEC Stability George Daly, James M. Griffin and Henry B. Steele 7. OPEC Oil Pricing, and the Implications for Consumers and Producers Robert S. Pindyck 8. Policies for Oil Importers William W. Hogan 9. Conclusions James M. Griffin and David J. Teece