In the wake of the glittering finale of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the global elite convened for four riveting days, the assertion that this gathering was a crucible for resolving the world’s woes should have always been met with skepticism. Now, in the aftermath of a global pandemic, seismic economic upheavals, and the eruption of conflict in Europe, that claim seems nothing short of audacious.
Enter Peter Goodman, the astute economic correspondent from the New York Times, and author of the recently unveiled tome, Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World. His work is an exhilarating safari into the enclaves of the world’s most influential individuals, with Davos serving as the grand watering hole where they congregate. Goodman, unflinchingly, brands Davos as a stage where billionaires huddle, attempting to convince themselves and the world that they are the virtuous knights in this global saga.
For three decades, Davos has meticulously crafted an image of itself as a harbinger of positive action. However, according to Goodman, it has skillfully employed this facade of virtue to suppress one of the most potent mechanisms for societal good: wealth redistribution. This is precisely why Dutch historian Rutger Brennan caused a commotion in 2019 when he dared to utter the taboo word—taxes—during a discussion on combatting global inequality. “It feels like I’m at a firefighters conference and no one’s allowed to speak about water,” Bregman boldly proclaimed then. “Just stop talking about philanthropy and start talking about taxes.”
In a world where the chasm between the privileged and the marginalized swells, a rift that expanded even further during the pandemic, it becomes increasingly challenging to view Davos’ well-intentioned proclamations as anything more than elaborate public relations theatrics. This year’s conference, held in May rather than its traditional January slot due to Covid, garnered fewer headlines and less fervent attention than its predecessors.
Yet, the erosion of relevance does not spell the demise of Davos, insists Goodman. At its core, Davos remains an unrivaled arena where billionaires, heads of state, and CEOs convene to engage in the intricate dance of deal-making and wealth accumulation.
“The authentic essence of Davos transcends the pledges and the promises,” Goodman posits. “It’s a realm where business is the currency of conversation.”
Amidst the glamour and rhetoric, beneath the veneer of global benevolence, Davos persists as a realm where power brokers convene, where fortunes are made, and where the future is shaped—irrespective of the grand narratives that unfold in its hallowed halls.
