The Curse Of Oil

Episode One

Rich And Poor

The discovery of oil is usually celebrated as a one-way ticket to wealth and economic growth. Yet evidence indicates that the presence of oil in a developing country makes life worse, not better, for most of the people who live there - particularly the poorest people.

This programme travels to Ecuador and Angola where, historically, oil has proved to be more of a curse than a blessing.

The programme asks how much of this is the responsibility of the oil industry and looks at how oil companies are responding to the challenges presented by this 'paradox of plenty'.