占到全球石油和天然气生产一大半的国有公司必须充分披露信息。大然资源丰富的国家往往是贫穷的,因为开采这种资源优先于建立好政府。进行竞争的石油和矿业公司在其政府支持下,往往愿意与能够确保它们获得开采权的任何人打交道。这种做法孕育腐败、压制的政府和武装冲突。在非洲, 内战已毁坏了诸如刚果、安哥拉和苏丹等资源丰富的国家。在中东, 民主制度未能实现。结束这种资源祸害能对减少世界上的贫困和痛苦作出重大贡献,而一个国际运动的目的正是做这件事。第一步是透明度;第二步是问责制。 State-owned companies, which make up more than half of the world’s oil and gas production, must fully disclose information. The countries rich in resources are often poor because the exploitation of such resources takes precedence over the establishment of good government. The competing oil and mining companies, with their government backing, are often willing to deal with anyone who can secure their access. This practice breeds corruption, suppressed government and armed conflicts. In Africa, the civil war has destroyed resource-rich countries such as the Congo, Angola and Sudan. In the Middle East, the democratic system failed to materialize. An end to the scourge of such resources can make a significant contribution to reducing poverty and suffering in the world, and the very purpose of an international movement is precisely that. The first step is transparency; the second step is accountability.