We all seem to understand that a large inheritance is guaranteed
to destroy an heir; it is a curse. This is now discussed in
psychological circles as the Paris Hilton Syndrome (I personally love
Paris and her wild spirit.)
I suspect the same syndrome should
be applied to nations that are built on oil that they sell to others.
I can only make my argument about the curse on oil with examples: the entire Arabian world of Wahabism, Iran which was once a great empire, Russia that has returned to its worst roots, Nigeria that is in serious decay, Mexico, stalled in economic "nowhere land" and Venezuela an emerging socialist tyranny. The only example which doesn't fit...yet: Norway.
I think we will have to wait on Norway as an example. I see signs of growing anti-Semitism there and that is a serious sign of social decay.