In more than one post, I've read here Luxembourg is supposedly a "capitalist paradise." However, a little voice in the back of my mind is telling me that isn't the whole story. I'd like to form a more detailed view of what Luxembourg's economy is and isn't.
Where should I start?
There can never be a capitalist paradise with fiat money and expansive government around. Luxembourg seems to have the best fit for the current environment. Luxembourg has the highest per-capita GDP in the WORLD and is among the most free countries in the world. What really makes Luxembourg go is that it has take over as the banking privacy heart of Europe. The more well known Swiss have given up and submitted to the will of the USA and other nations by giving names and other data to their taxing authorities. Luxembourg to my knowledge has not done so.
Bogart:Luxembourg has the highest per-capita GDP in the WORLD and is among the most free countries in the world.
Liechtenstein has far higher GDP per capita, though has few people.
Monaco is even higher, I think. Though I hardly think it counts as the place is less than a square mile in size. Though from what I understand Monaco's Government has a habit of treating foreigners far better than it treats its own citizens: The famous casino's are off-limits to non-tourists, for example.
Furthermore I don't really think GDP per capita is all that useful of a measurement, for much the same reasons GDP itself isn't a useful measurement. It says nothing about the quality of life the people there have, just how much money is being shifted around.
If I moved to Luxembourg and wanted to become and Entrepreneur, would I have to be poked and prodded by bureaucrats at their discretion, live under constant fear of patent trolls, and have half my income seized? And if not, then what is the specific situation regarding these issues? I suppose I should have been more specific earlier.
Azure:It says nothing about the quality of life the people there have, just how much money is being shifted around.
It tells us the same things as it would if it was one person with x income and one person with y income.
Azure:If I moved to Luxembourg and wanted to become and Entrepreneur, would I have to be poked and prodded by bureaucrats at their discretion, live under constant fear of patent trolls, and have half my income seized?
It is #22 in the EFW index. So, it does look that way.
Bogart: There can never be a capitalist paradise with fiat money and expansive government around. Luxembourg seems to have the best fit for the current environment. Luxembourg has the highest per-capita GDP in the WORLD and is among the most free countries in the world. What really makes Luxembourg go is that it has take over as the banking privacy heart of Europe. The more well known Swiss have given up and submitted to the will of the USA and other nations by giving names and other data to their taxing authorities. Luxembourg to my knowledge has not done so.
"The more well known Swiss have given up and submitted to the will of the USA and other nations by giving names and other data to their taxing authorities. "
Fortunately, so far this is a myth perpetrated solely by the US government [IRS, Treasury Dept. etc.] and the ever compliant US media, most likely in order to scare/ sheep-herd ignorant US citizens, an especially useful tactic prior to Tax filing deadlines of April 2010.
Swiss bank secrecy is still alive and well despite the widely reported troubles that the "Swiss" Bank U.B.S., has had with US authorities.
Why? If you or anyone else is interested in exactly why I believe this [ articles cited], and why UBS may or may not "cave" to US pressure, please private message me.
Banking Privacy-U.B.S. Predictions?
Furthermore, if you or anyone has questions about banking privacy both in the US [limited, although not impossible, believe it or not] or elsewhere offshore, including Switzerland, or if you are interested in my prediction as to what will probably happen in the case of UBS, also please PM me .
Regards, onebornfree
For more information about onebornfree, please see profile.[ i.e. click on forum name "onebornfree"].
Luxembourg is safe because the EU needs it as a banking center and as a low-government level administrative hub. Even the most stolid bureaucrats in Brussels understand giant corporations and export-driven firms need such a place. Want an example? The largest Italian truck and lorry manufacturer (IVECO) is controlled by a society based in the Grand Duchy. Want more examples? Look at any EU approved product. You should see a e# code designating the country where the procedure paperwork were filled.. Chances are the code is e13: Luxembourg.
When the EU publishes her "fiscal havens" lists Luxembourg is always excluded. As far as they are concerned they are "good guys".
While I can give you a list of company addresses operating from there I have no idea how day to day life works there. Nobody seems to stop there a minute more than needed.
Kakugo: Luxembourg is safe because the EU needs it as a banking center and as a low-government level administrative hub. Even the most stolid bureaucrats in Brussels understand giant corporations and export-driven firms need such a place. Want an example? The largest Italian truck and lorry manufacturer (IVECO) is controlled by a society based in the Grand Duchy. Want more examples? Look at any EU approved product. You should see a e# code designating the country where the procedure paperwork were filled.. Chances are the code is e13: Luxembourg. When the EU publishes her "fiscal havens" lists Luxembourg is always excluded. As far as they are concerned they are "good guys". While I can give you a list of company addresses operating from there I have no idea how day to day life works there. Nobody seems to stop there a minute more than needed.
Good, so Luxembourg is to the EU as Hong Kong was (and still is) to China. Not all is lost then.
Uh, Qatar is the highest per capita output in the world.
But that's only because a desert like that is scantily populated, save for the people involved in the natural gas operations there.
It sounds to me as if you need to read up , and closely consider the concepts of W.G. Hill's "5 Flag Theory".
His book "P.T." ,which according to who you ask means "perpetual tourist" or "perpetual traveler", or similar , is widely considered a classic on individual sovereignity.
Private message me if you have any questions on the uses and applications of the theory.
Regards, onebornfree.
I just read that Luxembourg explicitly allows secession of any of its 7 hamlets whenever they feel like it. Feels like Switzerland just went to second place when it comes the least offending state around.
When was the last time this power was tested?
Azure: When was the last time this power was tested?
That it never came to that is all the proof I need (the fact that WW3 never materialized attests the wisdom of investing in nukes which where never 'used')
I dunno. I'm getting flashbacks to Mr. Lincoln's attempts to "preserve the union." Whose to say the Luxembourg government wouldn't try that, given a hamlet actually tried to break off?
Lexembourg's wiki page says that its divided into 3 districts, 12 cantons, and 116 communes. Don't see any mention of 'hamlet'