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So basically, these states have built a business off of the money that would otherwise be paid to governments through taxes. They're like H&R Block on a nationa
by vonnik 12y ago
So basically, these states have built a business off of the money that would otherwise be paid to governments through taxes. They're like H&R Block on a national scale. The purchasers of the passport simply reroute money they would otherwise owe, paying nothing extra and saving a great deal.
I'm skeptical of how much these individuals "contribute to the country," as Kalin says. Many of these nations, such as Bulgaria, are well known for their corruption. So in all likelihood, money from the wealthy is being diverted into the coffers of another elite.
- tomp 12y ago> Many of these nations, such as Bulgaria, are well known for their corruption. So in all likelihood, money from the wealthy is being diverted into the coffers of another elite. Another way to look at it is that by utilizing another stream of income, these countries, unable to tap into existing wealth, natural resources or exploitation/colonization, can reduce corruption and improve the standard of living for their citizens faster than they would otherwise.
- gwern 12y ago> can reduce corruption So, you think that selling passports - a low-volume, high-profit-margin, heavily-secret revenue stream handled personally by high-level politicians favored by questionable characters and which has no relationship to transparency, good government, good business practices, efficient government in any sense, or the consent of the governed - might reduce corruption?
- a_c_s 12y agoThere are ways of reducing corrupting by adding more money to the system, such as paying police reasonable wages or digitizing systems/processes. But of course more money has to be coupled with a desire to reduce corruption.
- tomp 12y agoYour reasoning is based on the assumption that selling passports is some kind of a grey/black business. I see no reason it should be that way, especially since there are conditions attached to it (e.g. 250K investment).
- gwern 12y agoSelling passports lends itself to abuse for at least 8 inherent structural reasons I outlined. Whether or not one intends it to be a grey/black business, it still is unlikely to decrease corruption...