Passage: The 'resource curse,' also known as the Dutch Disease, refers to the paradox that countries with an abundance of natural resources—such as oil or minerals—often experience less economic growth and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer resources. When a nation discovers a valuable resource, its currency typically appreciates, making other exports like manufacturing and agriculture more expensive and less competitive on the global market. Furthermore, the economy becomes dangerously dependent on a single commodity, making it vulnerable to price fluctuations. Governments in these nations also tend to focus on 'rent-seeking'—capturing resource wealth—rather than investing in human capital or infrastructure. This neglect of the broader economy can lead to long-term stagnation once the resource is depleted.