Global Tax Governance

Covering the period from the 1920s, when international tax policy was solely about avoiding double taxation, to the present era of international tax competition, Rixen investigates the fate of 'the power to tax' in an era of globalization, illustrating that tax sovereignty is both shaped and constrained by an international tax regime.

High-profile scandals and increasing public debt after the financial crisis have put international taxation high on the political agenda. This book offers a rare combination of empirical analysis with normative and institutional proposals for global tax governance.

Why has global tax governance been politicized and how can we explain the varying intensity and content of public debates? This book offers an integrated theory of the politicization of international institutions and a detailed account of how the institutional design and policy output of tax governance by the EU and OECD have developed over time. Offering the first in-depth empirical analysis to compare politicization across international institutions, it blends institutionalist explanations that focus on the growing authority of international institutions, and sociological and political economy approaches that take into account domestic context. Exploring why and how international institutions have become increasingly contested in the 21st century, this book will be of particular interest to the scholars of the transfer of authority from the nation-state to international institutions, and the societal repercussions and political struggles that connect these processes. Researchers in the fields of political science, international relations, sociology, and political communication will also find it useful and insightful.

ÔThis book is an exceptionally interesting and well-researched analysis of one of the most important reforms in global governance that have been put into place in the wake of the global financial crisis that began in 2007. Eccleston insightfully draws on and contributes to theories of global governance, explaining the surprisingly innovative and successful aspects of the global arrangements for combating tax evasion while also highlighting their deficiencies.Õ Ð Tony Porter, McMaster University, Canada ÔIn the atmosphere of fiscal emergency after the financial crisis, international tax policy has become a critical concern. There is no better guide to inter-linked political and economic challenges that result than Richard EcclestonÕs new book, The Dynamics of Global Economic Governance. Eccleston provides a detailed and authoritative guide to global tax governance after the financial crisis, and makes a highly persuasive case that the current international tax regime is fundamentally flawed in its efforts to combat tax evasion.Õ Ð Jason Sharman, Griffith University, Australia The financial crisis that engulfed global markets in 2008 created an acute need for improved international economic cooperation. Despite the G20Õs prominent coordination role, the regulatory response to the crisis has varied considerably across governance arenas. This book focuses on international taxation and examines how the financial crisis prompted renewed attempts to enhance international tax transparency and confront tax havens. It highlights the complexity of international regime change and the significance of national and financial interests, international organizations, domestic politics and the emerging G20 leaders forum in this process. This timely book highlights the challenges in post-financial crisis global economic governance, information that will strongly appeal to scholars and graduate students in the fields of political science, international political economy, global governance, international taxation and law. Stakeholders in the international tax regime including diplomats and tax administrators, international organizations, NGO and business representatives will also find plenty of enriching information in this study.

The problem with tax treaties -- A history of developing countries in (and out of) global tax governance -- Turning the tables: the competition discourse and north-south relations -- OECD knows best: the expert view of tax treaties -- The United Kingdom -- Zambia -- Vietnam and Cambodia -- Historical legacies in a rapidly changing world.

Academic research shows that well-known principal-agent and capital market problems are strongly influenced by tax considerations. Against this background, this volume is the first to present a fully-fledged overview of the interdependence of tax and corporate governance. Not only the basic political, legal and economic questions but also major topics like income measurement, shareholding structures, corporate social responsibility and tax shelter disclosure are covered.

Covering the period from the 1920s, when international tax policy was solely about avoiding double taxation, to the present era of international tax competition, Rixen investigates the fate of 'the power to tax' in an era of globalization, illustrating that tax sovereignty is both shaped and constrained by an international tax regime.