There are governments that get most of their revenue from taxing the extraction of natural resources, eg Venezuela or Alberta. But like Venezuela vs Alberta, th

There are governments that get most of their revenue from taxing the extraction of natural resources, eg Venezuela or Alberta. But like Venezuela vs Alberta, the outcome is not guaranteed to be good. IMO the danger of a government that doesn't get its funds from the people is that it doesn't really need the people. The leadership only need to maintain their lock on the golden goose, and that can often be done more cheaply with guns than butter. They people become at best a nuisance to be placated, and at worst a rabble to control with fear.