Wenige Länder verfügen über so viele Rohstoffe wie Bolivien und Venezuela. Warum die Menschen trotzdem in Armut leben

Many countries possess abundant natural resources like Bolivia and Venezuela, yet their citizens remain impoverished. Despite being among the richest nations in terms of raw materials and energy wealth, Bolivia and Venezuela have struggled economically. This paradox stems from their political systems and policies.

Both countries experienced a boost in their economies due to the abundance of natural resources, particularly during the 2003-2014 period when oil prices soared. Governments in both nations prioritized state-owned enterprises, which led to the dominance of these entities in key industries such as oil, gas, and minerals. This concentration of power in the hands of the state stifled private investment and innovation.

In Venezuela, Hugo Chávez's leftist nationalist government nationalized PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, turning it into a behemoth. Similarly, Bolivia's leftist indigenous leader Evo Morales significantly increased the government's share of gas revenues and used the proceeds for social programs and consumption. While these policies initially reduced poverty rates, they masked structural issues.

The reliance on a single resource for economic growth left these countries vulnerable when commodity prices fluctuated. Venezuela's oil production plummeted, and Bolivia's gas exports declined dramatically after 2014, when oil prices fell. Both nations attempted to maintain power through repression and the establishment of autocratic regimes.

The consequences of this political model are evident today. Venezuela and Bolivia are among the worst-ranked democracies in South America and also among the most corrupt countries, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index and Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index, respectively. These nations struggle to modernize their societies economically and socially, despite their vast resource wealth.