ABSTRACT
As the introductory chapter made clear, the exploitation of natural resources in poor countries with weak standards of governance is frequently associated with conflict. The presence of some commodities, in particular oil, may make the initiation of conflict more likely; the presence of others, for example gemstones and narcotics, may lengthen the duration of conflicts. Revenues and riches may alter the mindset of combatants, turning war and insurgency from a purely political activity to an economic one; conflicts become less about grievance and more about greed.
