That's true, Norway is an exception. IIRC, all their oil revenue has been placed in a sovereign wealth fund. Then again, their neighbors don't have that same lu

That's true, Norway is an exception. IIRC, all their oil revenue has been placed in a sovereign wealth fund. Then again, their neighbors don't have that same luxury, which no doubt pressured their own politicians into behaving. The Middle East is almost entirely ruled by dictators & monarchies, so it's not like the people can just go to a neighboring country if the going gets rough.