resource curse, and all of its knock-on effects: ripe targets for resource extraction by foreign governments or multinationals (e.g. the offshoots of Standard Oil), said foreign entities will then support governments that abet their wealth extraction, which are typically governments whose mandate is not based on the will of the people even idealistically. said governments will return a portion of resource revenue to the people in the form of bread and circuses, to distract from how poorly their leaders serve them. saudi arabia had no taxes until only recently – if people are taxed, they’re likelier to be more critical of their government, and to demand representation https://www.ictd.ac/blog/tax-accountability-strengthen-links...