ABSTRACT

This essay examines efforts to prevent a resource curse in the emergent oil-producer state of São Tomé and Príncipe, focusing on an advisory project led by economist Jeffrey Sachs. Over the last two decades the resource curse has gained considerable importance in global policy circles concerned with the governance of natural resource extraction. I show that, as an economic device, the resource curse collides with and adjusts to already existing politico-economic and socio-cultural conditions, resulting in complex articulations. Drawing on ethnographic material, I critique the ability of the resource curse to make sense fully of local expectations and apprehensions of the past, present and future consequences of extractive industry developments.