Resource Curse and Post-Soviet Eurasia - by Vladimir Gel'man & Otar Marganiya (Hardcover)

About the Book

Resource Curse and Post-Soviet Eurasia: Oil, Gas, and Modernization is an in-depth analysis on the impact of oil and gas abundance on political, economic, and social developments of Russia and other post-Soviet states and nations (such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan). The chapte...

Book Synopsis

Resource Curse and Post-Soviet Eurasia: Oil, Gas, and Modernization is an in-depth analysis on the impact of oil and gas abundance on political, economic, and social developments of Russia and other post-Soviet states and nations (such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan). The chapters of the book systematically examine various effects of 'resource curse' in different arenas such as state building, regime changes, rule of law, property rights, policy-making, interest representation, and international relations in theoretical, historical, and comparative perspectives.

Review Quotes

In the words of Gel'man, the book offers 'a kind of multicolored and multifaceted patchwork, which is not only designed to sew interdisciplinary scholarly pluralism into a coherent picture, but also stimulate cross-fertilization aimed to supplement the research contribution of each of the chapters' (p. 11). Overall, the book appeals by continuing the analysis of the resource-regime interconnection in a worldwide comparative perspective and aims to make a contribution not only to area studies but also to 'intensive discussions on the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of the resource curse in general' (p. 18). It seems to fulfill this task.


Several major themes explored in this well-written, well-researched volume on the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of Eurasia's resource curse relate to the relationship among resource dependency, economic development, and the institutional environment....A worthwhile read. The introduction is exceptional in putting the subject matter into perspective....Summing Up: Highly recommended.

This book is relevant both for those interested in the development of the energy-rich countries of post - Soviet Eurasia and for those interested in the debate about the existence and effects of the resource curse. Its multidisciplinary approach is sensible. Its gloomy view of future prospects echoes that of a wide stratum of the present-day Russian intelligentsia. The contributors are familiar with both the English and Russian literatures on the subjects they discuss. Their conclusions are thought-provoking. Let us hope that they are also action-provoking.


This collection of writings about the 'Resource Curse' by scholars from Russia who are familiar with Western and Russian literature provides valuable perspectives on the discussion about Eurasia in Eurasia. The 'multicolored and multifaceted patchwork' promised in the introduction is a plan more than overfulfilled.

This is an elegantly written and eminently researched volume on Russia's key dilemma: the oil curse. These modern Russian scholars sensibly suggest that Russia's energy curse is severe but not insurmountable. This is the best book on oil and Russia to date and an enjoyable read.

About the Author

Vladimir Gel'man is a professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology at the European University at St.Petersburg.

Otar Marganiya is president of the Center for Modernization Studies at the European University at St. Petersburg and an advisor to the minister of finance of the Russian Federation.