預防資源詛咒: 以蒙古為例

Abstract

Countries that possess rich mineral deposits, it is widely assumed, are fortunate. Such deposits are assets, part of a country’s natural capital. Mining is the key that converts dormant mineral wealth into schools, homes, ports, and other forms of capital that directly contribute to economic development. Over the past two decades, however, a more negative view of mining has emerged that questions the positive relationship between mineral extraction and economic development. At the same time, Mongolia government and mineral resource companies are preparing for undertaking extraction of 6 world-class mineral deposits in Mongolia expecting that Mongolia economy experience economic development boom for next decades. However, the paper reveals that having abundant mineral resource and exporting these resources to the third country does not fulfill the expected result. Not even close. For Mongolian economy to grow at high rate and its people would enjoy better life, it has to have solid institutional infrastructure that supports sustainable long term economic growth. Unfortunately, this paper reveals that Mongolia does not possess this crucial condition.