Why are natural resources good for autocratic governments in the DRC and Saudi Arabia?(1 point)
Responses
The governments can provide good jobs for their citizens.
The governments can provide good jobs for their citizens.
The governments can use their natural resources to support democratization.
The governments can use their natural resources to support democratization.
The governments use money from resources to control their citizens.
The governments use money from resources to control their citizens.
The governments gain power and money by controlling natural resources.
The governments gain power and money by controlling natural resources.
The natural resources provide a steady stream of income for the government, allowing them to maintain control and stability.
After investigating how the growth of multinationals, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) has affected natural resource production, distribution, and consumption, which statement is the most accurate?(1 point)
Responses
Multinationals may cause problems that can sometimes be solved by governments and NGOs.
Multinationals may cause problems that can sometimes be solved by governments and NGOs.
Multinationals may refuse to work with governments and NGOs to develop natural resources.
Multinationals may refuse to work with governments and NGOs to develop natural resources.
Multinationals work to develop the entire economy of different countries with the help of governments and NGOs.
Multinationals work to develop the entire economy of different countries with the help of governments and NGOs.
Multinationals are less powerful in natural resource development than governments and NGOS.
Multinationals are less powerful in natural resource development than governments and NGOS.
Multinationals may cause problems that can sometimes be solved by governments and NGOs.
The correct response is: The governments gain power and money by controlling natural resources.
In both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Saudi Arabia, natural resources play a significant role in the power and control exerted by the autocratic governments.
In the case of the DRC, the country is rich in valuable minerals such as copper, cobalt, and diamonds. The control over these resources allows the government to generate significant profits. This income is often used to fund the military or security forces, which help maintain the government's control over the population.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia is known for its vast oil reserves. The Saudi government has the ability to control the production, distribution, and pricing of oil, which provides them with enormous wealth and power. This enables the government to fund various initiatives, such as infrastructure development and social welfare programs, to maintain the support of the population.
Additionally, the control over natural resources allows these governments to exert influence both domestically and internationally. By controlling valuable resources, they can negotiate favorable trade deals, forge alliances, or even use resource sanctions as a means of leverage. This further consolidates the autocratic government's power and control.
Therefore, the availability and control of natural resources provide autocratic governments in the DRC and Saudi Arabia with the means to gain power, maintain control over their citizens, and strengthen their position domestically and globally.