Fuelling War

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.

Philippe Le Billon

Introduction Part 1. The resource curse 1. Economic growth collapse 2. Governance failure 3. Conflicts and violence Part 2. Resources and armed conflicts 4. War and resource accessibility 5. Resources and types of armed conflicts 6. Influencing the course of armed conflicts 7. Implications for conflict prevention and termination 8. Addressing the resource curse 9. Ending 'resource wars' 10. Increasing corporate responsibility 11. Regulating conflict diamonds 12. Conclusion