New Books in Economics Paul R. Beckett, "An Anatomy of Tax Havens: Europe, the Caribbean and the United States of America" (de Gruyter, 2023)
Jun 30, 2025
Paul R. Beckett, a lawyer and academic specializing in company and trust law, dissects the world of tax havens, revealing their evolution into tools of the wealthy and their impact on accountability. He explores how these havens undermine local economies and pose ethical dilemmas, especially concerning money laundering. Beckett also examines the dark allure of these jurisdictions for elite individuals and discusses the role of emerging technologies like blockchain in reshaping global wealth management. The conversation highlights the stark human costs of such financial practices.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tax Havens Are Diverse and Complex
- No two tax havens are alike; they range from simple low-tax zones to complex "super tax havens" like blockchains.
- Traditional ideas of palm-fringed islands are outdated; many havens are sophisticated financial centers or even non-physical entities.
Tax Havens' Historical Evolution
- Tax havens evolved post-WWII from low-tax living spots to advanced financial centers with laws favoring fund movement.
- They rely on legal structures beneficial to finance sectors, often at the expense of local economies and governance.
Destitution Led to Tax Havens
- Many tax havens developed from destitute regions like Isle of Man or Liechtenstein after world wars.
- They used clever legislation to revive economies by attracting offshore wealth through specialized financial laws.
