[cecida]

I'm based in Ireland, and travel regularly to both Britain and California with work. I've always been shocked with the poverty and sense of systemic decline I witness in San Fran. Visiting London and being part of the tech industry can insulate you from just how grim things are in large parts of Britain as well though.

Not saying Ireland is some sort of utopia by any means, and we have our own enormous challenges with regards to things like housing and healthcare, but life is noticeable better here for the average citizen than it is in Britain. Which is such a turnaround from the 80's and 90's.

[TapWaterBandit]

Ireland's prosperity is built on a house of cards to do with low corporation taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if Ireland faces serious economic challenges and maybe even decline in coming years as governments are getting increasingly serious about not allowing corporations to only register profits in overseas jurisdictions with low tax rates.

[gerbler]

It was the initial incentive, but it's the only English speaking country in the eurozone (aside from Malta) and there's a huge number of companies who have massive capital investments (pharma/biomedical). Now there's a very active tech scene, it's tightly linked to the US so it actually feels quite sustainable.

[TapWaterBandit]

Maybe. I suspect playing tax haven for the largest corporations in the world plays a much bigger role in the generalised prosperity than anything else but I suppose we'll see.

[monero-xmr]

Why is low corporate taxes a bad thing? I want countries to compete on efficient government and low taxes. Otherwise it’s an endless cycle of stealing from private enterprise until there is nothing left.

[raincom]

Low corporate taxes on profits made NOT in Ireland--a special name for it: The double Irish Dutch sandwich

[gerbler]

This was true, it no longer exists

[asdadsdad]

Yeah, agree. Also the EU cracking down on tax tricks like that.