Abstract

The article presents a few ideas on international taxation for development. While it’s obviously a very controversial proposition, there is a case to be made for a more stable and predictable source of development finance in our efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Specifically, human development, which is based on recurrent expenditures, needs continuity in action and predictability (and stability) in financing. The current system does not deliver the necessary resources, either in quantity or quality. International taxes can do so, and bring additional benefits in terms of economic efficiency. There is no need for a new international organisation and the necessary legal arrangements can be put into place through a treaty. It would be important to ensure that any new source of financing is truly additional with respect to existing ODA flows.