Resumen

SILVA CALDERON, Álvaro. The Trajectory of the Oil Nationaization. Revista Venezolana de Economía y Ciencias Sociales [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.1, pp.109-123. ISSN 20030507.

In this article, the author examines the trajectory and the current situation of the Venezuelan oil industry, thirty years alter its nationalization. He starts by introducing three basic concepts he considers crucial for understanding the process and its history: the nation, the State and nationalization. At the same time he defines energy as a Social Product as it is fundamental for the organization of the society and for life itself. He indicates how the carbohydrates became, from the late nineteenth century, the primary source of energy, generating a discussion over property rights. The second part of the article broaches the outstanding features of the development of the industry, highlighting the jurisdictional framework elaborated for the activity, at the same time, arguing that from the outset, with the initial concessions, there was a desire to eventually nationalize the industry. Important steps in this direction were the 1943 legislation and the 1971 reversion law, together with the creation of institutions such as the CVP and OPEC. This process led finally to the 1975 law reserving the operation and commercialization of the carbohydrates to the State. The article concludes arguing that currently the aim is to improve the nationalization going beyond the traditional model of extraction for the export market incorporating the activity of the industry to the internal dynamics of the economy by strengthening its links to other sectors of the society.

Palabras clave : Oil; Oil Industry; Nation; State; Nationalization; Venezuela.