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12.3 Natural Resource Management and the Resource Curse

4 min readjuly 30, 2024

Natural resources can be a blessing or a curse for developing countries. The "" paradox shows that resource-rich nations often struggle with slower growth and worse outcomes than resource-poor ones.

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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse

Factors like , , and contribute to this curse. However, , diversification strategies, and can help countries overcome it and leverage resources for .

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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse

The Resource Curse

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Definition and Implications

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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • The resource curse, also known as the , refers to the phenomenon where countries with an abundance of natural resources (, ) tend to have slower economic growth, less democracy, and worse development outcomes compared to countries with fewer natural resources
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Implies that the mere presence of natural resources does not guarantee economic prosperity, and in many cases, can lead to economic stagnation, political instability, and social unrest
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Negative implications for economic development include:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- [Dutch Disease](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:Dutch_Disease): Resource sector drives up the exchange rate and makes other sectors less competitive, leading to a decline in manufacturing and agricultural exports
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Lack of [economic diversification](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:economic_diversification): Countries become overly dependent on resource exports and fail to invest in other sectors of the economy
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Exacerbation of income inequality: Benefits of resource wealth are often concentrated among a small elite, while the majority of the population remains poor
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse

Examples and Case Studies

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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • : Despite being one of the world's largest oil exporters, a significant portion of the population lives in poverty due to corruption, mismanagement of oil revenues, and lack of economic diversification
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • : Heavy dependence on oil exports led to economic crisis when oil prices dropped, resulting in hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and political instability
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • : High per capita GDP due to oil wealth, but poor human development indicators and high levels of inequality, with most of the population living in poverty
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Factors Contributing to the Resource Curse

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Institutional and Governance Factors

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  • Weak institutions and poor governance enable corruption, rent-seeking behavior, and mismanagement of resource revenues
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Lack of accountability and transparency in the management of resource revenues can lead to misallocation of funds and failure to invest in public goods and services
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Presence of weak property rights and lack of rule of law can discourage investment and innovation in non-resource sectors of the economy
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse

Economic and Structural Factors

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  • Volatility of resource prices can lead to boom-and-bust cycles, making it difficult for resource-rich countries to plan and manage their economies effectively
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Enclave nature of the resource sector, which often operates independently from the rest of the economy, can limit spillover effects and job creation potential of resource extraction
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • can lead to a lack of economic diversification, as countries fail to invest in other sectors of the economy
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse

Institutions and Resource Management

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Importance of Strong Institutions

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  • Strong institutions, such as an independent judiciary, professional bureaucracy, and effective checks and balances, are crucial for managing natural resources in a transparent and accountable manner
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  • Good governance practices can help mitigate the negative effects of the resource curse:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Implementation of [fiscal rules](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:Fiscal_Rules)
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Establishment of [sovereign wealth funds](https://www.fiveableKeyTerm:Sovereign_Wealth_Funds)
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- Adherence to international transparency initiatives (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)
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  • Presence of a robust civil society and free media can help monitor the management of resource revenues and hold governments accountable
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Effective Resource Management Strategies

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  • Participation of local communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes ensures that the benefits of resource extraction are shared equitably
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  • Adoption of anti-corruption measures and strengthening of public financial management systems can help prevent misuse of resource revenues and ensure they are invested in productive activities
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Transparency and accountability in the management of resource revenues can be enhanced through:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Adoption of international standards (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Regular disclosure of information on resource revenues and expenditures
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Overcoming the Resource Curse

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Economic Diversification Strategies

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  • Reducing dependence on resource exports and promoting sustainable growth through investments in:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Education
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Infrastructure
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- Development of non-resource sectors (manufacturing, services)
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Establishment of sovereign wealth funds to smooth out the impact of resource price volatility and ensure resource revenues are invested in long-term development projects
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Implementation of fiscal rules, such as limits on government spending and borrowing, to prevent mismanagement of resource revenues and ensure fiscal sustainability
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
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Promoting Local Content and Human Capital Development

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  • Promotion of local content policies, which require resource companies to source goods and services from local suppliers, can:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Create linkages between the resource sector and the rest of the economy
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- Generate employment opportunities
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
  • Investment in human capital, through education and training programs, can help build the skills and knowledge necessary for the development of a diversified and competitive economy
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  • Examples of successful diversification efforts:
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Top images from around the web for The Resource Curse
- Chile: Invested copper revenues in education, innovation, and the development of non-resource sectors, such as agriculture and renewable energy
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- Botswana: Used diamond revenues to invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment and strong institutions
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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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