Which statement best describes the governance pattern associated with resource wealth, per the Resource Curse?

• A. Wealth tends to be associated with corruption and autocratic governance
• B. Wealth ensures perfect democracy
• C. Wealth has no impact on governance
• D. Wealth guarantees rapid technological innovation

Answer: (D)

The Resource Curse shows how having abundant natural-resource wealth can distort political incentives and weaken governance. When a country earns large rents from resources like oil or minerals, those rents can be captured by a narrow group, fueling corruption and giving rulers the means to consolidate power. This often undermines institutions, reduces accountability, and can lead to autocratic governance or stunted development due to patronage and instability. Because of these dynamics, the statement that wealth tends to be associated with corruption and autocratic governance best reflects the typical pattern described by the Resource Curse. Wealth does not automatically produce perfect democracy, universal progress, or a neutral impact on governance; without strong institutions and diversification, resource wealth can create the very problems the curse highlights.