Previous research has not specified the puzzling occurrence of the low prevalence of natural resource management (NRM) in intrastate peace- and ceasefire agreements. The purpose of this thesis is to address this gap by applying the theoretical perspectives on high natural resource abundance. High natural resource abundance produces conditions for poor economic management, which may serve as a possible explanation of the low prevalence of NRM. The result of the study indicates a negative correlation between high natural resource abundance and an inclusion of NRM in intrastate peace- and ceasefire agreements. Thus, the hypothesis “If a high level of natural resource abundance exits, there is a lower probability of an inclusion of NRM in intrastate peace- and ceasefire agreements” is upheld. Since the assumptions of the theories do appear to hold, the thesis offers findings that further our understanding of the low prevalence of NRM in intrastate peace- and ceasefire agreements.

<p>Numerous studies have confirmed a statistically significant negative relationship between natural resource abundance and economic growth. This has been labeled “The Resource Curse”. In this paper we try to explain why Botswana, a country heavily dependent on its diamond industry, has managed to generate sustainable growth. Economists have advanced several explanations for the negative impact of natural resources on long-term growth. This paper focuses on the following important problems: First, a boom in a natural resource can pull resources away from other sectors of the economy, thus harming their international competitiveness, a phenomenon called the Dutch disease. Second, abundance in natural resources may lead to poor institutional quality in many countries. Thanks to conservative fiscal policies and accumulation of foreign reserves the local currency did not appreciate during the boom, and Botswana avoided the most severe symptoms of the Dutch disease. Historical tradition of democratic procedures and sound institutions at the time of diamond discovery has contributed to a high institutional quality in Botswana.</p>

Numerous studies have confirmed a statistically significant negative relationship between natural resource abundance and economic growth. This has been labeled “The Resource Curse”. In this paper we try to explain why Botswana, a country heavily dependent on its diamond industry, has managed to generate sustainable growth. Economists have advanced several explanations for the negative impact of natural resources on long-term growth. This paper focuses on the following important problems: First, a boom in a natural resource can pull resources away from other sectors of the economy, thus harming their international competitiveness, a phenomenon called the Dutch disease. Second, abundance in natural resources may lead to poor institutional quality in many countries. Thanks to conservative fiscal policies and accumulation of foreign reserves the local currency did not appreciate during the boom, and Botswana avoided the most severe symptoms of the Dutch disease. Historical tradition of democratic procedures and sound institutions at the time of diamond discovery has contributed to a high institutional quality in Botswana.