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Globalization, Natural Resources and Foreign Investment: A View from the Resource-Rich Tropics

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  • Gregg Huff

Abstract

This article uses data drawn from Southeast Asia and West Africa to help explain the geographical distribution of foreign investment. Why during late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century globalization did the attributes of abundant natural resources, mass migration and export expansion that attracted large foreign investment to the New World not similarly draw capital to the tropics? I argue that in a number of tropical countries, rich natural resources and cheap labour available through mass migration effectively substituted for foreign borrowing. At the same time, the dominant institution of colonialism throughout Southeast Asia and West Africa limited borrowing from abroad and helped to ensure that even for these resource-rich countries capital flows remained slight.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregg Huff, 2007. "Globalization, Natural Resources and Foreign Investment: A View from the Resource-Rich Tropics," Working Papers 2007_16, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    • Handle: RePEc:gla:glaewp:2007_16
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    File URL: http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_33616_en.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sinha, Avik & Sengupta, Tuhin, 2019. "Impact of natural resource rents on human development: What is the role of globalization in Asia Pacific countries?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Lenskаyа, Е. (Ленская, Елена), 2015. "Supply and Demand in the Training of Pedagogical Personnel [Спрос И Предложения В Системе Повышения Квалификации Педагогических Кадров]," Published Papers mak17, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    3. Noumba, Issidor & Noula, Armand Gilbert & Nguea, Stéphane Mbiankeu, 2022. "Do globalization and resource rents matter for human well-being? Evidence from African countries," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 49-65.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    19th century UK foreign investment; tropical growth; globalization; vent-for-surplus; natural resources; institutions; colonialism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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