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Abstract

The “resource-curse” theory is widely used in development and political economics literature to describe why some resource-rich developing countries largely fail to ‘develop’. This research project aims to deconstruct the “resource curse” theory and explore its inherent limitations in framing ‘resource-related’ conflicts in DRC via a literature review; and further examine it via the application of decolonial critiques which reflect on the eurocentrism present across all levels of Western knowledge production, such as academic literature and the policy interventions which these theories inform. Causes of conflicts related to resources in DRC shall be framed beyond the limit of the resource curse theory’s ‘rebel greed’ rationale; the impacts of the Colonial era and its persisting legacies on grievances within DRC and the Great Lakes region shall be emphasised as extremely significant in contributing to conflicts in DRC. This research project exposes the biases within development academic theory and policy and suggests that local knowledge and expertise must be central to understanding and mitigating DRC conflicts.

Course: International Development - BA - C28415

Date Deposited: 2022-08-15

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13991.html