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Natural Resources and the 'Quality' of Economic Development

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Listed author(s):
  • Vittorio Daniele

Abstract

Are natural resources a 'blessing' or a 'curse' for human development? This article attempts to answer the question by distinguishing between a 'dependence' on natural resources and an 'abundance' of the same. Dependence is measured in terms of exports of metals and fuel, while resource abundance is calculated on the basis of the subsoil assets per square kilometre and per capita. Results show the existence of a negative correlation between metals and ore exports and human development, while subsoil assets measures are, rather, positively related. These effects are particularly significant in countries with a comparatively lower institutional quality. The cases of Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea, briefly examined, suggest, however, that the effects of natural resources on human and economic development can be very different, and strictly related to specific national political and institutional characteristics.

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File URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220388.2010.506915
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Article provided by Taylor & Francis Journals in its journal Journal of Development Studies.

Volume (Year): 47 (2011)
Issue (Month): 4 ()
Pages: 545-573

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Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:47:y:2011:i:4:p:545-573
DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2010.506915
Contact details of provider: Web page: http://www.tandfonline.com/FJDS20

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Cited by:

  1. Badeeb, Ramez Abubakr & Lean, Hooi Hooi & Smyth, Russell, 2016. "Oil curse and finance–growth nexus in Malaysia: The role of investment," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 154-165.
  2. Edwards, Ryan B., 2016. "Mining away the Preston curve," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 22-36.
  3. Kim, Dong-Hyeon & Lin, Shu-Chin, 2017. "Human capital and natural resource dependence," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 92-102.
  4. Asongu, Simplice A & Nwachukwu, Jacinta C., 2016. "Transfer Mispricing as an Argument for Corporate Social Responsibility," MPRA Paper 75413, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  5. Diana Patricia Niño Muñoz, 2015. "Calidad de vida y el desarrollo institucional de los municipios petroleros de Colombia (2000-2010)," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 17(33), pages 203-230, July-Dece.
  6. Parcero, Osiris J. & Papyrakis, Elissaios, 2016. "Income inequality and the oil resource curse," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 159-177.
  7. Cockx, Lara & Francken, Nathalie, 2014. "Extending the concept of the resource curse: Natural resources and public spending on health," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 136-149.
  8. Cockx, Lara & Francken, Nathalie, 2014. "Extending the concept of the resource curse: natural resources and public spending on health," IOB Working Papers 2014.01, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB).

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