The Petro-state Masquerade (University of Chicago Press) by Ryan Cecil Jobson, subtitled Oil, Sovereignty, and Power in Trinidad and Tobago, studies the implicit, longstanding power relationship between T&T’s oil economy and the attainment of political power. The oil and gas industries have long been understood to be the backbone of the nation’s financial security. Jobson’s research reveals a history of political obfuscation of our petroleum reserves, and the imbalances this generates in transparency, accountability, and future governance. The Petro-state Masquerade draws cogent parallels between the energy sector and performance theatre.