Example international politics dissertation topic 4:

The effect of the oil boom in Angola upon its poorest citizens: An investigation.

Focusing on the present oil boom in Angola, this dissertation explores how the oil boom has increased the welfare of the poor within the country in two distinct ways. First, it evaluates that the influx of dollar capital into the country (through oil export) has resulted in a streamlining of foreign aid programmes to the country. Secondly, the paper evaluates the mechanisms through which the Angolan government must channel those oil revenues so as to ensure that the health, educational, and infrastructural needs of its people are met. This paper is particularly relevant as a result of the global change from unconditional aid to one in which First World nations are increasingly interested in Africa trading its way out of poverty.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Gary, I. and Karl, T.L. (2003). Bottom of the barrel: Africa’s oil boom and the poor. Baltimore, MD: Catholic Relief Services.
• Karl, T.L. (2007). ‘Oil-led development: Social, political, and economic consequences’, Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, Working Paper No. 80.
• Macmillan, J. (2005). The main institution in the country is corruption: Creating transparency in Angola. Stanford, CA: The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.