Tax evasion via Monaco/Canal islands/etc. isnt as easy as it used too. And it seems to be getting worse.
I'm not talking about tax evasion, I'm talking about places with very low taxes.
The idea of seasteading is that people would move to live there. And by the way, it's not meant to be "for rich only". The idea is to create prosperity for all. Obviously that in the beginning poor people will not be able to afford floating houses, but as times goes by and technology advances, the "ocean tax" becomes smaller, while government taxes quite the contrary...
I doubt the economic validity of that. Its horrible expensive to set up and just about the only thing i could think of that could generate enough money is being a tax-haven. Margins in fishing/producing are far too low. And white-collar labor (IT, for example) isnt profitable enough either, by a long shot, i think. First-class-tourism? But (as a tourist) i still prefer real islands with sandy beaches (that dont have to be built first, which saves quite a bit on investment).
Estimates say that a concrete submarine with living space equivalent to a 60m2 apartment could cost something between $60k to $100k to build. It's not
that expensive.
The challenge is for sure to come up with a "business plan" that could sustain a village and eventually grow to a city. White-collar labor is for sure a possibility, and there are others. "Medical tourism" is a big possibility if you consider existent medical laws in most countries. Drugs/prostitution/gambling tourism too, a sort of improved Las Vegas. Anyway, there are several possibilities. And the big deal is to start. Once the first steps are taken, more industries and services would be attracted by the economic freedom of the place.
Youll have to pick a good convenience flag, extradition treaties are now quite commonly made with all countries.
These treaties don't concern what happens in the other country. It seems you see the seasteading idea as something to run away from prosecutions in your home land. It is not it. If all you want is to run away, just go to Rio de Janeiro.
Besides, I still doubt you will get much people living on a floating island for long periods of time unless they get a sizable benefit (beyond idealistic hope for an idyllic future). I just dont see where that benefit should be coming from and i see plenty downside (mostly cost)).
Well, I see many potential benefits, yes. You should watch the talk I linked you to.
