Sovereign Finance and the Poverty of Nations: Odious Debt in International Law

This book provides a very valuable contribution to the discussion about odious debts in that it, quite successfully, structures the often rather elusive argumentation. By developing a new and stringent approach to the emergence of a valid legal concept of odious debts, the author presents a fresh perspective to its underlying evaluations and allows, thus, a re-consideration of the need for effective rules in this context. This book will certainly influence fundamentally the future debate of odious debts.
– Christoph G. Paulus, Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Germany

Whenever a strict application of the law produces a result that is at variance with a general sense of what is morally right, trouble is surely in the offing. This is the central thesis of Yvonne Wong’s Sovereign Finance and the Poverty of Nations. When is it legally permissible, when is it ethically acceptable, for a sovereign borrower to disavow a debt incurred in the name of the sovereign state, but not for its (or its citizens’) benefit? And if debts incurred by unscrupulous politicians in one era can be disowned by their successors later on under gauzy notions of ”illegitimacy” or ”odiousness”, what will prevent future unscrupulous politicians from casually dishonoring sovereign obligations that they would just prefer not to pay? These are deep waters, legally and morally. Wong has given us a fascinating insight into one of the most disquieting issues in international financial law.
– Lee C. Buchheit, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, US

Saddam Hussein was overthrown and executed, but his successors to power are still liable for the debts that he contracted for the nation. Odious regimes can create debts without consent or benefit of their citizens who must subsequently repay them. This fact puzzles both international law specialists and intellectuals who read magazines like The Economist. The result seems wrong, but the right solution is elusive. Yvonne Wong’s important and timely book solves some of the puzzles by using methods and theories from international law, economics, and political science. It explains the law and politics inherent in sovereign debt arrangements, and proposes a new legal framework for odious debt.
– From the foreword by Robert Cooter

Yvonne Wong’s book is one of the best treatments of the Odious Debt problem in the literature. It is thorough, balanced and yet manages to be creative. I have already used an early version in my International Debt class and the discussions that were generated were excellent. For anyone seeking to tackle this age old problem, I highly recommend this book.
– Mitu Gulati, Duke University, US

With some excellent historical research and important analysis of ”odious debt” accumulation and sovereign debt restructuring mechanisms in modern times, this book is placing the issue of ”odious debt” at the heart of International law. Thus, it will prove an indispensable companion to any scholar or policy-maker who wishes to gain a multi-prismatic understanding of ”odious debt” illegality and its implications for the welfare of entire nations.
— Emilios Avgouleas, University of Edinburgh, UK

Yvonne Wong, University of New South Wales, Australia