Offshore Finance Centres and Tax Havens: The Rise of Global Capital

by Mark P. Hampton, Jason P. Abbott

Offshore finance has transformed many small jurisdictions into high income economies and has facilitated the growth of global financial markets, deregulation and the convergence of economic policies worldwide. However, the volatility and fickle nature of global capital has also become apparent. This major new multi-disciplinary and international collection explores the development of offshore finance and is an extremely valuable resource for all those considering the issues involved in this important area.

279 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 1999

Reviews

[Scott Goddard]

This book is an anthology of essays from a number of writers who specialize in one of the facets of offshore finance centres (OFCs). Indeed, the book begins highly theoretical, and discusses the linkages between government and OFCs. For the most part, though, each chapter is an in-depth study of a particular geographical area, in which an OFC operates. It can be overly scholarly at points, making it a boring read. At other times, to its credit, the author writes with an engaging prose and flair. Considering it is a collection of essays, each written by someone who holds substantial knowledge in this field, I was hoping to learn more than I did. For this reason, therefore, I have only given the book a three star rating.