A country got rich, so fast, that it accidentally destroyed its own economy.
The windfall. 1960s. The Netherlands discovers a massive natural gas field. Overnight, wealth pours in. Sounds like pure fortune.
The trap. All that gas money makes the currency soar. A strong currency makes exports expensive. Factories die. Industries wither. One easy income kills everything else.
It's everywhere. Oil states that never build anything else. Lottery winners broke in three years. Gifted kids who coast on talent. Easy wins stop growth — until the stream shifts, and you have nothing left.