The Curse of Natural Resources

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The book explores the paradox of resource-rich countries often failing to leverage their natural wealth for economic prosperity. It emphasizes the impact of political regimes and governance quality on resource management, moving beyond mere economic growth to assess implications for human well-being and sustainability. Acar analyzes various countries, revealing that agricultural exports harm human development while extractive resources negatively affect genuine savings. Additionally, it contrasts Norway's oil discovery with Sweden's trajectory, highlighting divergent economic outcomes.