Nobody, but the Resource Curse seems to be one of those iron laws that happens inexorably even if people are aware of it (cf. principal-agent problems pushing prices upward), unless very determined action is taken to avoid it (like Norway), and that kind of action wasn't going to happen under Chavez.
> unless very determined action is taken to avoid it (like Norway)
Norway is not immune. It's the current popular thing to say, but Norway will fall victim to it just like everyone else does.
Look at some charts on their exports: 60%+ is energy. Look at their industry: Basically non-existent, except energy. Look at where young people are making their living: Energy.
If (when?) the oil runs out (or people stop buying it) their economy will implode - the fund they setup will not last long enough (they have enough for about 10-20 years). No one is developing skills in any other fields, it will take a generation or more to transition, and in the meantime everyone depends on charity (i.e. the fund) - and that's toxic to any economy because people become used to it.
So what you wrote about "Iron Law" is correct without the qualifier you added for Norway.
They gets lots of credit for being aware of the problem, but less credit for thinking they are doing better than they actually are.
It's too bad oil will be worth less eventually - otherwise they could just force themself to leave it in the ground, but the way things are going they had best convert it to cash as soon as possible.
It makes me wonder if it's economically long-term better for them to pretend not to have oil and develop their economy, vs. selling the oil.
