From the 1900s to the 1960s, the posted price of oil remained at a dollar a barrel. In 1981, it was $41 a barrel. This book outlines the past, present and future of what is commonly called the "new global order" resulting from that price rise. The author pays particular attention to the political and economic impact of the oil-producing OPEC nations and the economic challenges presented by the rise of Japan as a major economic player on the global stage.