This book investigates how revenues derived from natural resource exploitation can be translated into real benefits for the citizens of resource-rich countries

Shows how despite unprecedentedly high prices of natural resources such as oil and gas on the global market, resource-rich countries are home to over 60% of the world's poorest people

Discusses the counterintuitive phenomenon known as the "resource curse" and how mineral wealth can impoverish countries

Presents the major obstacles for the international community in the fight against poverty and in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

Debates the ways to lift the curse, and suggests policy interventions to break the vicious circle

Includes cross-country comparisons as well as focussing on countries such as Azerbaijan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and the Russian Federation