Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Aid to Raid: Tax Justice History
Tax Justice Network recounts the history of the tax justice movement and its emphasis on poverty reduction through taxation. Focusing on the issue of tax havens and the offshore industry where corporate wealth avoided paying its fair share, the architects of the intellectual framework behind tackling systemic poverty by eliminating tax avoidance shifted public thinking from aid to raid. Once NGOs like Christian Aid saw the light, the global economy that creates poverty became a target for campaigns to force banking transparency and global regimes to collect taxes due. It's a fascinating story, partly for its insight into scholarly activism, and partly for the inspiring message that a few good and determined people can indeed make a big difference.
