Gist on the Resource Curse
Gist on the Resource Curse Comment on watch?v=uiIg4tLTaT0 7/9/21 The most relevant concepts I know of relating to the issues in the middle east are that of Selectorate Theory and The Resource Curse. Wikipedia explains Selectorate theory pretty well but it doesn't do a good job of connecting politics to the resource curse. This book does a great job of explaining both: "The Dictators Handbook: why bad behavior is almost always good politics" Summary by CGPgrey: "The Rules for Rulers" here on youtube. The gist of it is that when a government relies on taxation for revenue, it will be greatly incentivized to invest in infrastructure so that the people can more easily get to and perform their work to earn more and pay more taxes. invest in education and healthcare, since healthy and educated people will earn more and pay more taxes. Allow basic freedoms like free press, assembly and ease of communication; the press to allow people to more easily learn market ...