Explore how unchecked financial corruption threatens democracy and geopolitical stability, and the role of Western enablers in perpetuating kleptocracy. Discover the internal EU tensions that nearly rolled back green finance rules, highlighting the clash between economic competitiveness and environmental responsibility. Plus, learn about the new Cambridge fund tackling the UK's growth finance gap and the implications of the U.S. absence at the G-20 finance meeting in South Africa. This episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of finance, politics, and global economic strategies.

Sources:
https://www.codastory.com/oligarchy/why-the-future-of-democracy-depends-on-controlling-illicit-finance/
https://www.politico.eu/article/internal-backlash-eu-green-finance-rules-european-commission/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevorclawson/2025/02/26/cambridge-focused-vc-launches-fund-to-address-growth-finance-gap/
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-02-26/the-us-is-missing-again-as-g20-finance-chiefs-meet-in-south-africa

Outline:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:41) Why the future of democracy depends on controlling illicit finance
(00:03:47) Internal backlash saved EU green finance rules from extinction
(00:07:08) Cambridge-Focused VC Launches Fund To Address Growth Finance Gap
(00:09:57) The U.S. is missing again as G-20 finance chiefs meet in South Africa