A New Start for Bangladesh? w/ Abdul Quddus

A New Start for Bangladesh? w/ Abdul Quddus

Two years ago, the regime in Bangladesh collapsed after 15 years of widespread corruption and authoritarian rule. In the wake of the revolution, an expert committee conducted an in-depth analysis, revealing the mechanisms of corruption and abuse of power within the fallen regime. Based on these findings, the committee proposed constitutional amendments. In 2026, the first elections since the revolution were held. Will this be the year Bangladesh gets a fresh start? In this episode, we talk with South Asia expert Abdul Quddus from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. He discusses the political landscape in Bangladesh, corruption, and the way forward following the world's first Gen Z-led revolution. Hosts: Jonas Veland, Kaja Guttormsgaard Audio, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

Who Profits from Nature? w/ Mark Burnett

Many resource-rich countries lose critical revenue because these resources are not managed well enough. The extractive industries are characterized by extensive corruption risks and aggressive tax planning. In this episode we are joined by Mark Burnett, EITI's Regional Director for Europe. The EITI – or Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – is an international organization working for greater transparency in the extractive industries. We discuss EITI's history, the international standard for transparency, and the value of broad collaboration between authorities, industry, and civil society in the countries where they operate.We also discuss Norway; while there is a tradition of high transparency regarding oil and gas extraction here, will we be able to maintain this standard as mining operations expand?

Taxation and Trust in Fragile States w/ Viljar Haavik & Gayatri Sahgal

We often think of tax as an exchange with the state – money in return for services and security. But what happens if this "social contract" is absent? In the world’s most fragile states, authorities often lack the ability to collect taxes and the capacity to provide basic services. In this episode we look at taxation as a way to understand the relationship between the state and the population. We speak with researchers Viljar Haavik from NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs) and Gayatri Sahgal from the Chr. Michelsen Institute. Both have conducted extensive research on taxation in fragile states and share their insights on how the social contract looks different in countries like Somalia and Liberia.

Russia: War and Corruption w/ Alyona Vadysheva

How does corruption work in Russia? And can an understanding of corruption help us make sense of the war in Ukraine and how it is being conducted? In this episode, we are joined by Alyona Vadysheva, head of Transparency International Russia. Both civil society and the press working for transparency and against corruption in Russia have long been under significant pressure. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Transparency International Russia was banned, and Vadysheva now works from exile. We talk to her about war, corruption, and what it’s like to work in civil society in a country like Russia. Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja Guttormsgaard Sound, video, and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard

The Super-Rich w/ Gabriel Zucman

The world's wealthiest people pay very little tax. The oligarchization of the United States illustrates how the massive wealth growth of the richest individuals translates into political influence that undermines democracy. What do the incomes and fortunes of the super-rich look like, why are we unable to tax them effectively, and how can we solve this issue? These questions are central to this episode of Pengeland, where we are joined by a true superstar in the world of taxation. Gabriel Zucman, an economics professor affiliated with the Paris School of Economics and the University of California, is also the director of the EU Tax Observatory. Over the past year, he has gained significant attention for his proposal on taxing the super-rich: a global minimum tax of two percent on their wealth. Hosts: Jonas Veland and Kaja Guttormsgaard Audio, video and music: Kristoffer Lislegaard