[kinkrtyavimoodh]

And perhaps countries do it because it benefits them that random companies can come and incorporate themselves in their country, but it doesn't benefit them (and often hurts them) when random people can?

After all, there ARE countries where more or less anyone can relatively easily become a citizen, it's just that most people don't want to actually live in those countries.

Some countries give people easy visas on arrival. Others make you jump through several hoops. Why? Perhaps this works out best for both groups of countries. The first group benefits from the tourism dollars, the second group perhaps sees benefits from not having the country flooded by tourists who might or might not leave easily.

[geofft]

That may be why things have gone wrong, but wouldn't that situation mean that corporations are in fact more powerful than governments? They are powerful precisely because governments need things from companies more than companies need things from governments - the companies have the negotiating power here. (And, analogously, individuals don't.)

[throwaway2245]

> there ARE countries

I'm not sure where this fits into your argument anyway, but I could not identify what country you might mean? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization#Summary_by_coun...

[s1artibartfast]

There is citizenship and residency. Many countries have very low bars for legal residency, and have it as a viable route to citizenship. With a business investment of $30,000 or a monthly income of $600, it is possible to gain residency in Nicaragua. Citizenship can be applied for after five years providing the person has lived in Nicaragua for 6 months each year.

[throwaway2245]

As best I can immediately tell, the cost to incorporate in Nicaragua is $0 and ~30 days application period, with no residency requirement, and 0 tax on global income/profits.

A (low) bar to residency which leads to being eligible to apply for citizenship after a several years' commitment (also being highly dependent on any political change during those years) is not what I would call an "easy" process.

[s1artibartfast]

Maybe we’re discussing apples and oranges then. I would consider that a very easy and clear path to citizenship. In my mind, A residency is entirely reasonable and not difficult. I would consider the US system difficult due to the barriers intentionally set up around legal residency and visas