Volume 7-20 Abstract


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	Petro-states - Predatory or Developmental? by Helge Ole Bergesen, Torleif Haugland and Leiv Lunde August 2000 Fridtjof Nansen Institute and ECON Centre for Economic Analysis Political attention is increasing on the glaring contradiction in most oil-rich countries between natural abundance on economic and social misery. How can it be that oil is not a blessing, but becomes a curse? Although drawing on economic analysis (Dutch disease), the analytical framework established in this report on Angola and Azerbaijan emphases political and institutional factors and concentrates on the role of the state. Selected variables that are likely to decide whether the petro-states become 'predatory' or 'developmental' are studied for both countries. The analysis indicates a danger that oil resources will continue to trickle away instead of trickling down to the benefit of the broader Angolan and Azerbaijani population. Concerted action by international oil companies and the Bretton Woods institutions provides the best hope of moving the present political leadership in Angola and Azerbaijan into a developmental direction. Go to top of page