Fuelling War
Natural Resources and Armed Conflicts
Nonfiction, History, Military, Strategy, Business & Finance, Economics
| Author: | Philippe Le Billon | ISBN: | 9781136592942 |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis | Publication: | June 17, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Routledge | Language: | English |
| Author: | Philippe Le Billon |
| ISBN: | 9781136592942 |
| Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
| Publication: | June 17, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Routledge |
| Language: | English |
A generous endowment of natural resources should favour rapid economic and social development. The experience of countries like Angola and Iraq, however, suggests that resource wealth often proves a curse rather than a blessing. Billions of dollars from resource exploitation benefit repressive regimes and rebel groups, at a massive cost for local populations. This Adelphi Paper analyses the economic and political vulnerability of resource-dependent countries; assesses how resources influence the likelihood and course of conflicts; and discusses current initiatives to improve resource governance in the interest of peace. It concludes that long-term stability in resource-exporting regions will depend on their developmental outcomes, and calls for a broad reform agenda prioritising the basic needs and security of local populations.
A generous endowment of natural resources should favour rapid economic and social development. The experience of countries like Angola and Iraq, however, suggests that resource wealth often proves a curse rather than a blessing. Billions of dollars from resource exploitation benefit repressive regimes and rebel groups, at a massive cost for local populations. This Adelphi Paper analyses the economic and political vulnerability of resource-dependent countries; assesses how resources influence the likelihood and course of conflicts; and discusses current initiatives to improve resource governance in the interest of peace. It concludes that long-term stability in resource-exporting regions will depend on their developmental outcomes, and calls for a broad reform agenda prioritising the basic needs and security of local populations.
