I think it also have a lot to do with a bunch of trade agreements that were signed between nations. For example, would Ireland be used as a tax haven if it wasn

I think it also have a lot to do with a bunch of trade agreements that were signed between nations. For example, would Ireland be used as a tax haven if it wasn't part of the EU and EEA? Also the way ownership and property rights are actually codified into law is very weird when you consider it from a global perspective. The reason shell companies work is that on some level the owners are not actually considered owners but on another level they are.