Oil booms and business busts: why resource wealth hurts entrepreneurs in the developing world

Despite the vast riches that oil brings to a nation, many oil-producing countries struggle with economic volatility and are unable to promote diversification-what is often referred to as the 'resource curse' phenomenon. This text provides a new way of thinking about the developmental challenges associated with oil by centering on how policy makers in these countries have approached the business environment for private firms and entrepreneurs

The book offers a new way of thinking about the development challenges of oil-producing countries--the "resource curse" phenomenon--by looking at how policymakers approach the business environment for private firms and entrepreneurs. Quantitative analysis is combined with in-depth studies of places such as Iran, India, and Saudi Arabia.

Introduction -- The importance of everything but oil -- A theory about oil, policymakers, and the business environment -- Oil and the business environment in Iran -- Doing business in India's mining belt -- Reform in the Gulf Arab context: Saudi Arabia since the 1990s -- Conclusion