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Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia

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By Marlene Laruelle

In Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia, Marlene Laruelle offers an innovative framework to understand why resource-abundant states often perform poorly. She argues that the presence of unlootable resources—those that are difficult or impossible to steal or expropriate—creates incentives for elites to engage in predatory behavior, which in turn undermines economic development and political stability.

State Erosion: Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia

by Lawrence P. Markowitz

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3011 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	216 pages

Laruelle's framework is based on a detailed study of four Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. She shows how the presence of unlootable resources in these countries has led to a variety of problems, including:

Predatory behavior by elites: Elites in Central Asia have used their control over unlootable resources to enrich themselves and their families, often at the expense of the general population.
Weak institutions: The presence of unlootable resources has undermined the development of strong institutions in Central Asia. Elites have been able to use their control over resources to weaken or bypass institutions that could hold them accountable.
Economic stagnation: The predatory behavior of elites and the weakness of institutions have led to economic stagnation in Central Asia. These countries have been unable to diversify their economies and have become increasingly dependent on resource exports.
Political instability: The presence of unlootable resources has also contributed to political instability in Central Asia. Elites have used their control over resources to suppress dissent and maintain their grip on power.

Laruelle's framework has important implications for understanding the challenges facing resource-abundant states around the world. It shows how the presence of unlootable resources can create a vicious cycle of predatory behavior, weak institutions, economic stagnation, and political instability. This cycle is difficult to break, but Laruelle offers some hope for the future. She argues that it is possible to create more accountable and responsive governments in resource-abundant states, but it will require a concerted effort by both domestic and international actors.

Reviews

"Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia is a major contribution to the study of resource-abundant states. Laruelle's framework is innovative and insightful, and her case studies are rich and detailed. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the politics and economics of Central Asia and the broader challenges facing resource-abundant states around the world."

—Stephen F. Jones, Professor of Political Science, Mount Holyoke College

"Laruelle's book is a timely and important contribution to the study of resource-rich states. Her framework is theoretically sophisticated and empirically grounded, and her case studies are fascinating. Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia is a major work that will be essential reading for anyone interested in the politics and economics of resource-abundant states."

—Sarah E. Mendelson, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego

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Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia is available now from Cornell University Press. To Free Download your copy, please visit the Cornell University Press website or your favorite bookstore.

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State Erosion: Unlootable Resources and Unruly Elites in Central Asia

by Lawrence P. Markowitz

4.2 out of 5