logo

60 pages 2 hours read

Timothy Mitchell

Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil

Timothy MitchellNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2011

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Timothy Mitchell

Carbon Democracy

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2011
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th century

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Carbon Democracy: Political Power in the Age of Oil by Timothy Mitchell examines the relationship between carbon-based energy (coal and oil) and democracy, arguing that coal and oil workers increased their political power by exploiting production vulnerabilities. The transition from coal to oil weakened worker influence, altering democratic dynamics. Mitchell explores imperial manipulation in oil-rich regions and the geopolitical strategies used to control oil supplies, highlighting ongoing instability and the environmental crisis linked to oil dependence. The book discusses imperial violence, wars, and enforced instability in the Middle East.

Informative

Challenging

Contemplative

Mysterious

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.3

972 ratings

81%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Timothy Mitchell's Carbon Democracy offers a compelling analysis of the interplay between fossil fuels and political power, praised for its innovative approach and interdisciplinary insights. However, some critics find it dense and occasionally convoluted. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional understandings of democracy and energy.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Carbon Democracy?

Readers who would enjoy Carbon Democracy by Timothy Mitchell are typically interested in the intersections of energy, politics, and history. Fans of works like Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything or Jared Diamond's Collapse will appreciate Mitchell’s in-depth analysis of how fossil fuels influenced modern democracies.

4.3

972 ratings

81%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th century

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.