The magical state

Nature, Money, and Modernity in Venezuela

Book • 1997

The Magical State examines the Venezuelan petro-state, revealing how the state performs a magical transubstantiation of oil (nature) into money and development.

Coronil critiques Western social theory by analyzing how this process shapes modernity in postcolonial contexts, drawing on historical and ethnographic insights into Venezuela's political economy.

Mentioned by

Alejandro Velasco

Mentioned in 1 episodes

Mentioned by

Alejandro Velasco

as a key text explaining Venezuela's unique relationship with oil and its impact on the country's past and future.

171 snips

The Venezuelan Curse (Part 1)

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

Get the app