The Politics of the Resource Curse

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Resource Curse ◽  
Authoritarian Regimes ◽  
Violent Conflict ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mineral Wealth ◽  
Resource Wealth ◽  
Natural Resource Wealth ◽  
Harmful Effects

This article considers the debate over the “resource curse” (i.e., whether too much natural-resource wealth is harmful for developing countries) along with the debate about the mechanisms and conditions that likely generate the reported problems. After reviewing the literature on the resource curse, this article discusses the ways that scholars define “natural resources.” It then analyzes research on how resource wealth affects democracy, the quality of government institutions, and the incidence of violent conflict. It cites evidence showing that petroleum wealth, in particular, seems to have at least three harmful effects: to make authoritarian regimes more durable, to increase certain types of corruption, and to foster the onset of violent conflict in low- and middle-income countries, particularly when this form of mineral wealth is found in the territory of marginalized ethnic groups.

Sovereign Wealth Funds and the Resource Curse

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jędrzej George Frynas
Keyword(s):  
Resource Curse ◽  
Policy Instrument ◽  
Fiscal Rules ◽  
Sovereign Wealth Funds ◽  
Political Consequences ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Resource Wealth ◽  
Natural Resource Wealth ◽  
The Relationship

Historically, a key purpose of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) has been to help manage and minimize a range of negative economic and political consequences of natural resource wealth, often lumped together as the “resource curse.” This chapter asks to what extent SWFs—specifically “resource funds”—can mitigate the resource curse. It discusses the available empirical evidence for the effectiveness of resource funds as well as the relationship between societal governance and the effectiveness of resource funds. The available findings suggest that wider societal governance is of significantly greater importance for tackling the resource curse than the existence of a resource fund. Bad governance in a country prevents even the most transparent and robust resource funds from becoming an effective policy instrument. Conversely, resource funds can be successful in countries with effective societal institutions such as sound fiscal rules, good quality of government budget documentation, free civil society and independent media.

Energy Issues in the Context of the Regime Transition of Post-Soviet Eurasia: National and International Dimension

2010 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-336
Author(s):  
Anastassia Obydenkova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Resource Curse ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
International Dimension ◽  
Mineral Wealth ◽  
Bureaucratic Power ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Resource Wealth ◽  
Nondemocratic Regimes

In political science, democracy is generally associated with high levels of economic development. However, some scholars note that this is true only as long as economic development is not based on possession of rich energy resources. Many resource-rich states are nondemocratic regimes. This is sometimes called the “resource curse.” This means that “natural resource abundance may stimulate rent-seeking behavior that, together with highly concentrated bureaucratic power, induces corruption in the economy and hence lowers the quality of institutions.” It also means that “resource wealth itself may harm a country's prospects for development” and that “oil and mineral wealth tends to make states less democratic.”

scholarly journals Psychosocial influences on help-seeking behaviour for cancer in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a mixed-methods systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e004213
Author(s):  
Grace McCutchan ◽  
Bahr Weiss ◽  
Harriet Quinn-Scoggins ◽  
Anh Dao ◽  
Tom Downs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Psychosocial Influences

IntroductionStarting cancer treatment early can improve outcomes. Psychosocial factors influencing patients’ medical help-seeking decisions may be particularly important in low and lower middle-income countries (LMIC) where cancer outcomes are poor. Comprehensive review evidence is needed to understand the psychosocial influences on medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, attendance for diagnosis and starting cancer treatment.MethodsMixed-methods systematic review registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018099057). Peer-reviewed databases were searched until April 2020 for studies assessing patient-related barriers and facilitators to medical help-seeking for cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in adults (18+ years) living in LMICs. Quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesised using meta-analytic techniques, meta-ethnography or narrative synthesis as appropriate.ResultsOf 3963 studies identified, 64 were included. In quantitative studies, use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) was associated with 3.60 higher odds of prolonged medical help-seeking (95% CI 2.06 to 5.14). Qualitative studies suggested that use of TCAM was a key barrier to medical help-seeking in LMICs, and was influenced by causal beliefs, cultural norms and a preference to avoid biomedical treatment. Women face particular barriers, such as needing family permission for help-seeking, and higher stigma for cancer treatment. Additional psychosocial barriers included: shame and stigma associated with cancer such as fear of social rejection (eg, divorce/disownment); limited knowledge of cancer and associated symptoms; and financial and access barriers associated with travel and appointments.ConclusionDue to variable quality of studies, future evaluations would benefit from using validated measures and robust study designs. The use of TCAM and gender influences appear to be important barriers to help-seeking in LMIC. Cancer awareness campaigns developed with LMIC communities need to address cultural influences on medical help-seeking behaviour.

Social Support and Quality of Life Among People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110300
Author(s):  
Charles MS. Birore ◽  
Liyun Wu ◽  
Tina Abrefa-Gyan ◽  
Marilyn W. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Utilization of antiretroviral therapies (ART) prolongs life and heightens ability to engage in productive activities among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study implemented a 6-week long Social Care Intervention (SCI) Program in Ghana and identified protective factors associated with Quality of Life (QoL) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We discovered that SCI model in the form of social support associated positively with differences in the QoL among PLWHA. Logistic regression revealed that social support, especially affectionate support, was positively associated with a higher level of QoL. People who were older and healthier tended to have higher levels of QoL compared with their counterparts who were younger and sicker. These findings suggest that building social support system can serve as an empowerment approach to promote quality of life among PLWHA in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources are limited.

scholarly journals Understanding How Incentives Influence Motivation and Retention of Health Workers

2012 ◽  
pp. 1148-1163
Author(s):  
Posy Bidwell ◽  
Stephen Thomas ◽  
Silvia Stringhini
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Professional Ethos ◽  
Human Resources Strategies

A critical factor in addressing the human resources crisis in low and middle income countries (LMIC) is the ability to recruit, motivate, and retain health workers. Failure in this area is one of the main causes of decline in availability of services and quality of care. Various financial and non-financial incentives have been implemented and this chapter will explore available evidence to see whether they have influenced motivation. Additionally, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is used to determine if there is a hierarchy of how incentives are valued. While Maslow’s model is a useful tool to classify themes of health worker needs, it would appear that workers are motivated without each level having to be fulfilled in turn. While financial incentives may help with retention, they can cause erosion of professional ethos, do not increase job satisfaction, or act as motivators to perform well. More research needs to be done in order to design more effective human resources strategies.

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