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On one level, this is a good thing as there has been a race to the bottom going on in terms of taxes for some time. But on another level, this is very bad beca

On one level, this is a good thing as there has been a race to the bottom going on in terms of taxes for some time. But on another level, this is very bad because national tax policy is now being set by unelected diplomats instead of congress. It's an ominous admission that western democracy is now unable to operate as it's meant to and set policy in a way that reflects the desires and interests of the citizens. I know that worrying about national sovereignty is usually a right wing thing, but there is some truth to it- when the economy is international the bodies with the most power are the international economic agencies and banks. For example it's well known that Greek government policy after the financial crisis was dictated to them by the European Central Bank and the IMF. Likewise the World Bank and the IMF set policy for a large swath of the global south. And none of those people are elected.

tweedledee 5y ago
It could be worse; they could have taken over via conquest (war).
lovich 5y ago
> It's an ominous admission that western democracy is now unable to operate as it's meant to and set policy in a way that reflects the desires and interests of the citizens. That comes off as a little hyperbolic to me. Those governments are supposedly already taking choices they feel reflect the desires and interests of their citizens which means entering into this tax agreement is such a reflection. There’s no world government enforcing that states remain a member of this agreement so they can always leave them later if their citizens feel that way as well. It’s not like this was done entirely out of altruism from states looking out for their fellow man. Nation states are pretty nakedly self interested hence the phrase “nations have no friends only interests”. They all must feel they are getting something from the deal
nescioquid 5y ago
> tax policy is now being set by unelected diplomats instead of congress. Each nation will have to ratify the agreement. It is nominally true that congress sets tax policy, though that overlooks the golden horde of lobbyists that descend upon Congress with ready-made bills. It is also true that a representative or senator ought to make decisions based on the best interests of their constituents, rather than donors and their lobbyist pals (who might land them a lucrative gig after office).
someguydave 5y ago
“ I know that worrying about national sovereignty is usually a right wing thing” is that an apology for considering a right wing idea seriously?
- fallingfrog 5y ago
  Well, the nation as an organizing principle and identity arose in revolutionary France as a way to fill the hole left by the collapse of god and the king as the feudal system was abolished. But the nation, too, as a concept has its limits. In some cases I think it will be replaced with more local identifications and political structures; in other cases more global ones. But in every case those structures need to be democratic.

tweedledee 5y ago

It could be worse; they could have taken over via conquest (war).

lovich 5y ago

> It's an ominous admission that western democracy is now unable to operate as it's meant to and set policy in a way that reflects the desires and interests of the citizens. That comes off as a little hyperbolic to me. Those governments are supposedly already taking choices they feel reflect the desires and interests of their citizens which means entering into this tax agreement is such a reflection. There’s no world government enforcing that states remain a member of this agreement so they can always leave them later if their citizens feel that way as well. It’s not like this was done entirely out of altruism from states looking out for their fellow man. Nation states are pretty nakedly self interested hence the phrase “nations have no friends only interests”. They all must feel they are getting something from the deal

nescioquid 5y ago

> tax policy is now being set by unelected diplomats instead of congress. Each nation will have to ratify the agreement. It is nominally true that congress sets tax policy, though that overlooks the golden horde of lobbyists that descend upon Congress with ready-made bills. It is also true that a representative or senator ought to make decisions based on the best interests of their constituents, rather than donors and their lobbyist pals (who might land them a lucrative gig after office).

someguydave 5y ago

“ I know that worrying about national sovereignty is usually a right wing thing” is that an apology for considering a right wing idea seriously?

fallingfrog 5y ago
Well, the nation as an organizing principle and identity arose in revolutionary France as a way to fill the hole left by the collapse of god and the king as the feudal system was abolished. But the nation, too, as a concept has its limits. In some cases I think it will be replaced with more local identifications and political structures; in other cases more global ones. But in every case those structures need to be democratic.