Framing the contradictions of Guyana’s petro-led growth: Extractivism, petro-state and happenstance

Introduction

Today’s column continues to elaborate on the meaning I am intending to attach to the three key concepts referred to in last week’s column; namely, extractivism, petrostate and happenstance. I had formally introduced these concepts last week as  going forward I rely on them in framing the methodology informing my analysis of the dynamics of Guyana’s economic growth and development of its wider social, political , environmental and other societal systems.

Before pursuing this effort, I pause here to offer readers my view on what constitutes the extractives sector in Guyana. Completion of this task will round off last week’s discussion of extractivism.