Publication

This paper discusses the linkages between conflicts and natural resources. Most of the literature dealing with the ‘resource curse’ is focused on human behavior and societal response. This paper, drawing on evidence from Africa, argues that such an approach is one-sided. The author proposes that a more holistic conceptualization should appreciate the role of natural resource characteristics. He argues that a given resource has a higher chance of fuelling conflict when it requires less specialized skills for its exploitation and refinement, has high liquidity, and is easily portable and therefore 'smugglable'.