[Denny]

As much as the world has a problem with tight oil supplies, many of the producing nations have odd policies that serve to encourage over consumption at the expense of the rest of the world. In some places, fuel is wasted, you will see large, heavy vehicles being used for personal travel in the mid-East for instance. One sheik in the U.A.E. is even ordering a new Airbus 380 for personal use, and low fuel prices may encourage such irresponsibility. This blatant waste should not be allowed to continue.

To keep all at an even keel, would it not be a wise thing for the U.N. to set a floor price for retail pricing, such that all countries work in unison to encourage conservation?

I recall Iran increased their retail prices this past year, but they are still well below world averages. The peopel there were not happy wit the situation, who would be, but if everybody got the message that the higher prices would work to secure a more solid future, at least that may be palatable.

If U.N. action prevailed, it would take the political heat off the leaders of places like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, as they cold all point out they are forced into it. Perhaps even the U.SA. and Canada should look at much higher taxation to get its prices more in line with world averages. This would serve to reduce consumption and help the carbon footprint that everybody is seeking to accomplish. Maybe the whole world should start with the minimum of pricing $4.50 per U.S. gallon and go up $0.75 per year, until they reach $7.00 or higher. If you think about the "invisible hand" of the market place, the only reason that some places have such low prices is government subsidies, which are clearly wrong in a free market world.

Such a pricing regime by the U.N. would not only promote conservation but it would also avoid some countries using their domestic fuel prices as an artificial trade incentive, which is contrary to free markets.

See this, from U.S.A. Today

WORLD GASOLINE PRICES
Gas prices on April 17 or 18. Data for EU countries were provided by the AA Motoring Trust. Prices are listed in U.S. dollars

United Kingdom $8.37
Netherlands $7.52
Norway $7.33
Belgium $6.95
Germany $6.72
Finland $6.57
France $6.50
Austria $5.40
Spain $5.14
Italy $4.80
Japan $4.16
United States $2.88
Russia $2.68
Mexico $2.38
China $2.19
Nigeria $1.92
Saudi Arabia $0.45
Venezuela $0.19

[Twilight]

It wouldn't fly. All people would hear is "UN price controls" and then it wouldn't matter what was said next. It's not their job anyway. And there would be a conflict of interest, as many governments need fuel subsidies as part of their strategy to hold power, and they are all part of the UN. It would be like turkeys voting for Christmas.

[heroineworshipper]

Would run out of food pretty fast. For oil to be expensive enough to switch over to the next best thing, it would no longer be profitable to grow food.

[misterno]

eventually, price of oil will skyrocket and it will enable food prices to skyrocket. This is inevitable. But what OP says is that let's do it early enough do that we can face the consequences early. Unfortunately, george bush is doing the opposite.

[Pixie]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Denny', 'T')o keep all at an even keel, would it not be a wise thing for the U.N. to set a floor price for retail pricing, such that all countries work in unison to encourage conservation?

[ohanian]

UN cannot but OPEC can!

OPEC will say "all countries must sell gasoline at US$8 per gallon"

If even a single country refuses to do so then OPEC will stop selling even a single drop of oil.

Problem solved!

[Tanada]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ohanian', 'U')N cannot but OPEC can!

OPEC will say "all countries must sell gasoline at US$8 per gallon"

If even a single country refuses to do so then OPEC will stop selling even a single drop of oil.

Problem solved!

[Denny]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ohanian', 'U')N cannot but OPEC can!

OPEC will say "all countries must sell gasoline at US$8 per gallon"

If even a single country refuses to do so then OPEC will stop selling even a single drop of oil.

Problem solved!

[MrBill]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Denny', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('ohanian', 'U')N cannot but OPEC can!

OPEC will say "all countries must sell gasoline at US$8 per gallon"

If even a single country refuses to do so then OPEC will stop selling even a single drop of oil.

Problem solved!