Question

Should political leaders have the ability to control natural resources? What advantages and disadvantages might there be to such control in theory? What has been the actual experience? What evidence is there of the theoretical advantages and disadvantages in practice? Who has benefited from resource allocation decisions?

Answer 1

'Resource' is anything,which has got some uses.It has some utility or in simple terms it has the want satisfying capacity to fulfill the needs and requirements of people.As far as natural resources are concerned,they are the naturally occurring resources available to us,that has been provided to us by nature and is in the process of continuous formation depending upon its nature.These resources should be accessible to each and every organism on this earth,be it humans,animals,microbes etc.No individual can have sole ownership.Still we talk of ownership to safeguard,protect,develop and judicially allocate them for various uses,to ensure proper distribution,so that rights of individuals aren't infringed.Political ownership over these resources cannot be a wiseful decision We can think over this option but its success or failure depends upon the institutional/constitutional framework,social structure,historical background etc.Often it has been observed that unregulated control of these resources by  political leadership results in overexploitation,destruction and personal uses of these resources.Also leads to unequal and unjustified distribution of resources.They consider it their personal property and use it to fulfill their ambitions.Yes good visionary political leadership can create miracles and best conservation,but its almost very difficult to get such leaders and often has negative consequences.

Yes,still it can have some advantages too,when it is owned by individual political leaders,then they would pay extra care and attention to preserve these resources.Urgent decisions regarding them can be taken which are crucial for them,for their welfare.It would be used in a judicial way that can maximise their benefits and output.At the same,there are some disadvantages too that has been discussed above such as overexploitation,reckless use and wastage,unequal distribution etc.Other stakeholders might be denied the access to theses resources leading to pollution and a day will come,when everything is over.

In practical,our experience hasn't been pleasant and good over a longer period of time.In most of the cases,we have negative consequences that worries us.There are a number of practical evidences that justifies our concerns mentioned above,that can be seen around us,in our society,at local,state,national and global levels.Concerns are being raised continously by people,NGOs,environmentalist and other stakeholders regarding this.Yes still we have some positive examples too,that encourages us,empowers us and acts as an ideal for us and guides us but such evidences are very rare to find.

Resource allocation is the process of deciding that available resources should be used for which purpose,in what manner etc. that can maximise our gains,can lead to efficient and effective usage of these resources that can maximise social welfare.This process of resource assignment is a very crucial decision to take,after proper discussions,deliberations,keeping in mind all pros and cons,each and every point and concept.Idealistically,we lay emphasis on equitable,judicious,sustainable distribution of resources that aims at social welfare,that can fulfill the needs and requirements of every individual.But in reality,it is very less true,mainly it has benefitting the ultra-rich individuals,politicians in power and other influential stakeholders that have influence over these resources.The gap between the rich and poor has been widening with the passage of time where the voices of poor,helpless and organisms,animals that can not raise their voices effectively are being suppressed,they are left unheard.

Still its quite encouraging to know that we are today talking and heading towards the idealistic situation.We are today talking for equitable and sustainable usage,though only morally and theoretically.