The Uneven Offshore World: Mauritius, India, and Africa in the Global Economy

This book examines the shifting patterns of accommodation and resistance to the offshore world, with a particular focus on Mauritius as a critical but underappreciated offshore node mediating foreign investment into India and Africa. It presents the first detailed comparative study of the Mauritius-India and Mauritius-Africa offshore relationships and suggests that the contemporary global tax reform agenda has not only failed to make good on its promise but also reinforced numerous existing power hierarchies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the complex dynamics of accommodation and resistance to the offshore world, with a particular focus on Mauritius as a critical yet underappreciated offshore node that plays a pivotal role in mediating foreign investment into India and Africa. Drawing on a vast array of financial data and exclusive interviews with key stakeholders, the authors present the first comprehensive comparative analysis of the Mauritius-India and Mauritius-Africa offshore relationships. These relationships serve as insightful test cases of the contemporary global tax reform agenda, which aims to curb offshore finance. While India's economic power and multilateral track record have enabled it to actively shape this agenda and implement it effectively, most African countries have faced challenges in meeting its stringent criteria or have hesitated to adopt it due to concerns that it may deter investment. The impact of this agenda on offshore financial centers has been limited, with some less sophisticated centers experiencing decline, while others, like Mauritius, have managed to consolidate their operations and weather the current regulatory challenges. The findings of this book suggest that the contemporary global tax reform agenda has fallen short of its promises and, in fact, has reinforced numerous existing power hierarchies.

The book is written in a clear and accessible manner, making it accessible to readers without a deep understanding of tax issues. It offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of offshore finance and its implications for global economic governance. The authors' comprehensive analysis provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about tax fairness, transparency, and the regulation of international financial transactions.

In conclusion, The Uneven Offshore World is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of the offshore world and the challenges posed by the contemporary global tax reform agenda. By examining the Mauritius-India and Mauritius-Africa offshore relationships, the book offers a valuable perspective on the uneven distribution of power and wealth in the global economy. It sheds light on the strategies employed by countries to navigate the offshore landscape and the implications of these strategies for economic development, inequality, and global governance.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367751128