Since 1990 there has been a surge of theoretical and empirical work on the spatial aspects of the economy. The text discusses this area of contemporary economics - the "new economic geography". It provides an explanation of the existence of large economic agglomerations at various spatial scales.[...]

The study of natural resource extraction in resource-rich countries often shows that plunder, rather than prosperity, has become the norm. Management of natural resources differs widely in every state; a close examination of the decision making chains in various states highlights the key principles [...]