Intelligence Squared
The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World, with Atossa Abrahamian
Feb 5, 2025
Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, a journalist known for her incisive writings on the global elite, discusses her new book detailing how wealth shapes a hidden world beyond nation-states. She reveals the unsettling dynamics of wealth and power in places like Geneva, highlighting tax havens and legal inequalities. The conversation also touches on Dubai's tailored legal environment and the unique governance of Svalbard, exploring capitalism's intersection with collaborative governance. Prepare to challenge your understanding of legal systems, identity, and the modern geography of wealth!
54:09
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Quick takeaways
- Abrahamian emphasizes the commodification of citizenship through the buying and selling of passports, challenging traditional notions of nationality and belonging.
- The exploration of freeports reveals how the wealthy utilize secretive spaces to hide assets, raising concerns about wealth concentration and social implications.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Identity and Citizenship
Growing up in Geneva, Atusa Araxia Abrahamian experienced a unique international community largely detached from the typical nationality associations. With her parents working for the UN and her education primarily in international schools, she felt displaced despite the advantages her upbringing offered, such as access to diverse cultures. This early life sparked her interest in the commodification of citizenship, leading her to explore how passports are bought and sold openly in the market. Her first book delved into the implications of this phenomenon, questioning the traditional notions surrounding citizenship and its evolving role in contemporary society.
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