Reference no: EM132865957

Question 1: Are developing countries with abundant oil resources cursed? Are their societal, economic, and political structures doomed to be malformed and detrimental to their own populations?

As Bradshaw M. (2014: pg. 174) stated, it is the greed of the elite and not so much a curse that hinders the resource rich developing countries. The political structuring of these countries is designed to dictate societal well-being and separate their populations via monetary status. As Taylor, A. (2011) indicates, it is the same type of systematic monetary upheaval example that caused the 2011 Occupy Wall-Street (OWS) effort to dissolve financial inequality in the United States. Bradshaw M. (2014: pg. 174) goes on to explain that the same systemic behaviors initiated in Oil Rich Nations (ORN's) serve as vehicles to promote inequality and do not promote equal monetary disbursement throughout their societies. Relative to the U.S. one percent, only a chosen few who advocate capitalistic advancement in these ORN's are rewarded in what is politically referred to as "rents".

Patrick, S (2012) explains that ORN's like Saudi Arabia can be referred to as the Poster Child or Blue-Print for exactly what takes place in countries that are blessed with resources yet operate as the furthest thing from a democracy. That the authoritarianism which rules the country has intentionally separated those of royal stature from the average citizen and left breadcrumbs to be divided amongst them. Any political aspirations of the average joe designed to undue the status quo is quickly met with fierce and decisive rebuke by royal regimes who thrive on income inequality. Yes, this type of treatment of those unfortunate enough to fall prey to the rich can be referred to as a curse, however, a curse can work both ways. The rich can also be cursed with having nothing at all except monetary comfort and being condemned to eternal isolation with only money to keep them company. The difference being, the rich get to choose their curse.