Sustainable Exploitation of Natural Resources and National Security

• Published in: Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica Vol. 11; no. 5; pp. 105 - 113
• Main Author: Constantinescu, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Danubius University Press 2015; Editura Universitară Danubius
• Subjects: Economic development; Economy; National security; Natural resources; Sustainable development; national security; conflicts; development; natural resources
• ISSN: 2065-0175; 2067-340X

Although the presence of natural resources on a country’s territory does not by itself lead to conflict, in specific situations this may constitute an aggravating factor for the risks pertaining to a country’s national security and long term development. The aim of this article is to outline the links and interactions between the availability of natural resources, their sustainable exploitation and a country’s national security and stability. The topic of the economics of conflict has generated a growing interest in the last 20 years, given the changing nature of the modern conflicts and their underlying economic factors. Some of these conflicts have been shown to be sustained, if not generated, by the availability of lucrative natural resources, leading to their classification as “resource wars”. Following the analysis of the influencing factors, a conclusion can be drawn regarding the need for the countries relying for their economic development solely on the exploitation of natural resources to implement sustainable development measures, not only to promote long term economic growth, but also in order to avoid this type of conflict.