when examining the dominance of the natural resources sector in certain economies, existing studies are divided on whether resource abundance translates into faster or slower economic growth. Some stress the risks of over-specialization in the resources sector, including de-industrialization (the so-called Dutch disease), problems associated with excessive price
volatility, economic instability and civil conflict. Others, however, point to examples of economies that have successfully harnessed resource specialization for economic growth, and conclude that other factors, besides resource endowments, are key predictors of economic success or failure.