resurssia

Resurssia is a theoretical construct used in political science and energy policy to describe a state or region where natural resources play a central role in governance and development. It is not a single real country, but a class of models used to study how resource wealth shapes politics, economics, and international relations.

Etymology and usage: The name combines "resource" with a suffix reminiscent of large Eurasian polities. The term emerged in the early 21st century in discussions of resource nationalism, extractive governance, and energy security, appearing in academic articles, policy papers, and scenario analyses.

Conceptual scope: In most treatments, Resurssia is not fixed geographically. It is a generic construct representing large, resource-rich regions—especially those with hydrocarbons and minerals. Economically, it features extensive state involvement through state-owned enterprises, sovereign wealth funds, and policy frameworks designed to stabilize rents, fund public services, and promote export-led growth. Politically, the model tends toward centralized decision-making and strong executive authority to manage resource policy and macroeconomics, though real-world variants may include plural actors.

Implications and debates: Proponents argue the model helps explain how resource wealth can fund development but also how price volatility and governance challenges can undermine growth. Critics warn that the Resurssia concept may oversimplify complex economies, overlook subnational dynamics and private sector roles, and risk normalizing extractive-driven development without sustainable environmental safeguards.

See also: resource nationalism, resource curse, sovereign wealth fund, extractive industries, energy security, rentier state.