Publication

This paper assesses the impact of natural resources on civil wars. The paper explains that Neo-Malthusians contend that natural resource scarcity makes societies more conflict-prone, while neoclassical economists argue that greater dangers flow from a local abundance of natural resources. The author analyzes the debate between the two camps as a means of deepening the general understanding of the role natural resources may play in conflicts. The paper concludes that conflicts driven by natural resources will persist, unless difficult behavioral and policy changes are adopted in the future.