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Two UMass Amherst economists are featured in a new documentary chronicling the quest for global tax fairness and against capital flight. 

“Tax Wars” tells the story of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT), a group of top economists and leaders from around the world assembled a decade ago, with the goal of overhauling international taxation to ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share to support vital public services.

Co-chaired Jayati Ghosh, professor of economics, and including Léonce Ndikumana, distinguished professor of economics, the 14-member ICRICT succeeded in making its proposals the backbone of a historic agreement adopted by 136 countries in October 2021. The measure, which sets a global minimum tax on the profits of multinationals, is expected to generate $220 billion in revenue for governments and potentially put an end to tax havens.

“My dream would be the multinational corporations would not be in a position to dictate to governments about what they do, how they do it, and what damage they can do to the economies,” Ghosh says in the film.

Combining filming on four continents and futuristic animations inspired by the Star Wars universe, “Tax Wars” provides a behind-the-scenes account of how the ideas of these “knights of tax justice” have gradually succeeded and turned public opinion against the most powerful actors in the global economy, to help governments marshal the resources to combat inequality, finance long-neglected public services and address climate change.

The film is “very well done and accessible to all,” noted Catherine Pacary of Le Monde. “ICRICT relies on public awareness and mobilization ... This documentary makes a significant contribution to this.”

“Tax Wars” is available for academic streaming on Docuseek.