I think showing a visual summary like you did is the way forward. Great idea.
Side question - your debate with Arnold Kling made me remember : I saw somewhere (probably on this blog) that you asked for the US citizenship.
This really surprises me, for I assumed that, because you wrote these articles about the end of nation-states, you were maybe libertarian leaning - or at least that you plan your future today according to your own predictions (which is that in the future nation-states will fight to the death to keep the status quo).
So there is a big risk that many nation states will try to restrain the freedom and mobility of their most mobile citizen, in one way or another.
And if it is so, why did you choose to take on the only* nationality on Earth that will tax you no matter where you live, prevent you from opening bank accounts in many countries, and burden you with paperwork to fill every year even if you don't have any more ties with the US ?
Don't you want to keep this freedom to choose to let go of a state, if it becomes too overarching ?
*yes Eretria does that too, theoretically, but... well you know what I mean :)
There are plenty of EU countries that tax less than the US, especially with their special tax regimes for foreigners, as you noted yourself in your article.
Also, you are not protected against the possibility of becoming wealthy, especially given your skills :) .
If you manage to do it, I believe you will come to regret your decision.
I have quite a few friends who renounced their US citizenship, and it was not a good customer experience.
When I see this (as well as the exit tax you have to pay when you renounce), I can't help but see the parallel with the Middle Age, when you were the property of your lord, and had to ask his permission in order to leave the fiefdom, and usually had to buy him back your freedom.
With a system like this, you are the property of your government. That's the only reason I'm not an American right now, I think this system is revolting and destroy too many essential liberties - the right to vote with your feet being the most important one.
Let's hope I'm wrong, and that you will find more benefits to it than disavantages.
I think showing a visual summary like you did is the way forward. Great idea.
Side question - your debate with Arnold Kling made me remember : I saw somewhere (probably on this blog) that you asked for the US citizenship.
This really surprises me, for I assumed that, because you wrote these articles about the end of nation-states, you were maybe libertarian leaning - or at least that you plan your future today according to your own predictions (which is that in the future nation-states will fight to the death to keep the status quo).
So there is a big risk that many nation states will try to restrain the freedom and mobility of their most mobile citizen, in one way or another.
And if it is so, why did you choose to take on the only* nationality on Earth that will tax you no matter where you live, prevent you from opening bank accounts in many countries, and burden you with paperwork to fill every year even if you don't have any more ties with the US ?
Don't you want to keep this freedom to choose to let go of a state, if it becomes too overarching ?
*yes Eretria does that too, theoretically, but... well you know what I mean :)
Very good question. I struggled about that question for a very long time.
Eventually, I reached the conclusion that:
- I will most likely live either in the US or in EU countries
- EU countries always tax more than the US, so I would not end up paying (much) US taxes
- The upside of a US nationality in terms of derisking the next few decades is higher than the cost
I might have been wrong.
There are plenty of EU countries that tax less than the US, especially with their special tax regimes for foreigners, as you noted yourself in your article.
Also, you are not protected against the possibility of becoming wealthy, especially given your skills :) .
If you manage to do it, I believe you will come to regret your decision.
I have quite a few friends who renounced their US citizenship, and it was not a good customer experience.
The US even used COVID as an excuse to stop processing renunciations for 2 years, and the Association of Accidental Americans is suing the federal state for this : www.imidaily.com/north-america/expat-group-sues-us-state-dept-over-suspension-of-renunciation-services-violation-of-5th-amendment/
When I see this (as well as the exit tax you have to pay when you renounce), I can't help but see the parallel with the Middle Age, when you were the property of your lord, and had to ask his permission in order to leave the fiefdom, and usually had to buy him back your freedom.
With a system like this, you are the property of your government. That's the only reason I'm not an American right now, I think this system is revolting and destroy too many essential liberties - the right to vote with your feet being the most important one.
Let's hope I'm wrong, and that you will find more benefits to it than disavantages.