This paper reviews natural resource "curse", economic growth and related spatial issues literature. Empirical work has established the presence of a negative relationship between growth and natural resource richness. Economic theory suggests a range of explanations: 1) resource booms may induce...

Economists now recognize that, along with physical and human capital, environmental resources should be viewed as important economic assets, which can be called. Three recent debates have emerged over the role of natural capital in economic development. First, as many ecological services are...

The paper discusses how early economists, sometimes informed by Alexander Humboldt’s pioneer detailed report on a tropical country (Mexico), interpreted the connections between natural resources, institutions and growth. The apparent paradox of a negative relation between natural wealth and...

Economics now recognize that, along with physical and human capital, environmental resources should be viewed as important economic assets, which can be called natural capital. Three recent debates have emerged over the role of natural capital in economic development. First, as many ecological...