From Davos: That’s a Wrap
Wrapping up another year’s Davos. As always, far too much to do and think about. But a big parting thought from the snowy mountains is how the world economic forum squares the notion that much of the world is no longer as with them on globalization. Three broad directions they can take, however proactively: 1) ...
Wrapping up another year's Davos. As always, far too much to do and think about. But a big parting thought from the snowy mountains is how the world economic forum squares the notion that much of the world is no longer as with them on globalization. Three broad directions they can take, however proactively:
Wrapping up another year’s Davos. As always, far too much to do and think about. But a big parting thought from the snowy mountains is how the world economic forum squares the notion that much of the world is no longer as with them on globalization. Three broad directions they can take, however proactively:
1) Change the mandate. Davos may be in Switzerland, but make it assertively not about the west or the developed world’s values for running of the global economy. Instead, it becomes a value-neutral debating ground for the world’s economic powers to hash out their (growing) disagreements. In short, the G20 with both public and private sector.
2) Change the attendance. Recognize the differences, continue to promote an assertively pro-market agenda, and accept that those that oppose it will increasingly not show up.
3) Shoot the middle…and lose the spirit. All but the strongest globalization advocates and detractors attend, the agenda continues largely as it was, but with public debates becomîng more intractable and fewer "Davos moments."
Surely the latter is the most likely, at least for now. Not least because just as davos comes in January, the summer Davos has now settled to China each year. Maybe the half solution is for the best. But it will be a shame to see the "spirit of davos" ebb away. Last year’s meeting had the delegates atwitter when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan stormed off the stage after a heated debate with Israel’s Shimon Peres…not in keeping with the spirit of Davos. And no Erdogan to be seen this year. I suspect that’s to become more the norm.
Ian Bremmer blogged from Davos throughout the conference, sending reports and commentary from inside the World Economic Forum.
Ian Bremmer is the president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. He is also the host of the television show GZERO World With Ian Bremmer. Twitter: @ianbremmer
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