The events I initially observed in one petro-state, Russia, and then globally — when I joined BP and dealt with various oil economies — first provoked my curiosity and then fascination with resource economics and oil politics. In my
publications, I argue that it is the quality of institutions which essentially determines whether natural resource abundance is a blessing or a curse. I describe how poor institutions and corrupt elites can corrode the very fabric of an oil economy. Through my articles, reports and lectures (such as my
TEDx talk) I try to convince policymakers to foster innovation and embrace change.