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Resources for Sale: Corruption, Democracy and the Natural Resource Curse

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Damania

    (University of Adelaide, Australia)

  • Erwin Bulte

    (Department of Economics, Tilburg University, Tilburg)

Abstract
A puzzling piece of empirical evidence suggests that resource-abundant countries tend to grow slower than their resource-poor counterparts. We attempt to explain this phenomenon by developing a lobbying game in which rent seeking firms interact with corrupt governments. The presence or absence of political competition, as well as the potential costs of political transitions, turn out to be key elements in generating the ‘resource curse.’ These variables define the degree of freedom that incumbent governments have in pursuing development policies that maximize surplus in the lobbying game, but put the economy off its optimal path. We test our predictions by adding measures of democracy and authoritarianism to existing regression models of the resource curse, and obtain support for our hypotheses.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Damania & Erwin Bulte, 2003. "Resources for Sale: Corruption, Democracy and the Natural Resource Curse," Centre for International Economic Studies Working Papers 2003-20, University of Adelaide, Centre for International Economic Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:adl:cieswp:2003-20
    as

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    File URL: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/cies/papers/0320.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Minier, Jenny A, 1998. "Democracy and Growth: Alternative Approaches," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 241-266, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Resource endowment and economic growth; development; rent seeking; bribing; corruption.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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