The resource curse : economic, social, and political implications for affected states with emphasis on geopolitical dynamics and international relations
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Abstract
The wide-ranging phenomenon of the resource curse is considered in this thesis, taking into account the economic, social, political, and geopolitical consequences of resource abundance in states in general and specifically in case of Venezuela, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Based on the strong theoretical and empirical basis, the paper shows how the natural resource wealth, especially hydrocarbons and mineral resources, paradoxically can impede any possibility of sustainable development, support authoritarian rules, increase social inequality, and cause violent wars. Comparative case studies and presented comprehensive academic literature (Karl, 1997; Ross, 2012; Auty, 1993) allow to disclose that there is such mediator as weak institutions and rent-seeking behavior which plays a significant role in mediating the negative impact of resource abundance. The study further brings out the influence of international relations and geopolitics of world energy on the direction of these states, which increasingly serve to support the trend of dependency and marginalization (Le Billon, 2001; Dunning, 2008). A particular focus is on new patterns of the global energy transformation and their consequences to an economy that relies on fossil fuels and its suppliers of critical minerals (Sinn, 2012; Kuzemko et al., 2024). Some policy recommendations and future research directions are proposed at the end of the study, where the need to reform the institutions, promote more transparency, and international collaboration are urged as the main ways of reducing the curse. Finally, the thesis fits in the wider argument on governance of resources, development and the strategic politics between global wealth and power constructs.
Postgraduate Studies Programme
Energy: Strategy, Law & EconomicsDepartment
Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών ΣπουδώνNumber of pages
79Language
EnglishCollections
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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα