Why does the U.S. remains so dependent on petroleum?

Question

So I am in a sociology class and my teacher gives us a random question that has nothing to do with the class but to relate it to three different sociological perspectives (C.W. Mills,Emile Durkheim, and Michel Foucault) More importantly, if anyone has any idea or thought to why the U.S. remains so dependent on petroleum would be helpful, I am not sure why he gave us this question, thank you.

Answer 1

The US is highly industrialized, and needs oil to generate electricity, run cars, factories, etc.

The US and many other nations are looking into alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy like wind and solar, as well as biofuels (ethanol is sort of an example), in order to break their dependence on oil. Research into these alternative sources are progressing, but are not yet at a far enough point to break dependence.

Answer 2

one word. MONEY

Answer 3

It seems quite obvious. Petroleum is the lowest cost energy source available in the quantities we require to maintain our lifestyle. There are alternative energy sources, but none come close to providing the quantities our country needs.

Answer 4

Petroleum independence has to be regulated or controlled by the government.   The US government has failed to do so in the interest of big business.

Answer 5

urban sprawl, not a very good mass transient system, too big of an area for mass transient systems.

Answer 6

Every developing nation on our planet depends of petroleum.  Not just as fossil fuels, but for plastics, medicine, and many other consumer desirable products.  Carbon fibers, Naugahyde, shoe soles, just look around and you will see what I mean.

Answer 7

Because there are a lot of people in influential positions who make a lot of money from the trade of oil. The people with money are the ones who , in a very indirect way, run this country.

Politicians are influenced by wealthy people all the time.