Fall 2026
Sustainable Development: Natural Resources Governance
Dates: September 01, 2026 – December 17, 2026Day/Time: Tuesday; Thursday 10:10 AM - 11:30 AM EDT
Level: 300-Level
Certificate: Global Studies, Sustainability and Climate Solutions
Global Studies certificate requirement: Elective.
Sustainability and Climate Solutions certificate requirement: Elective.
Instructor: Pavel Kononenko, Smolny Beyond Borders
There is a widely held belief that the power and success of a state’s development directly depend on how well it is endowed with natural resources. Many people assume that the more oil, gas, coal, and metals a country possesses, the greater its opportunities for ensuring sustainable economic and political development, improving citizens’ well-being, and strengthening its prestige on the international stage. But is this really the case? Why do civil wars break out in African countries rich in diamonds and oil? Why are countries that export hundreds of millions of tons of oil and gas not among the leaders in terms of living standards, while such leaders are often countries that, as a rule, have to import resources? Why is Norway an exception to this rule?
This course addresses these and other questions at the intersection of political science, political economy, and policy analysis. By exploring economic models and theories, we will examine how resource endowment influences various aspects of social and political life through concrete case studies. We will read, think, and discuss decisions made at the local, national, and international levels to ensure economic development, social progress, and ecological balance. Topics will include the resource curse theory and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, regional conflicts and insurgencies, civil society initiatives and global cartels, Botswana and Norway, nuclear energy and avocados.
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS