Cheryllyn Dudley
Political Analyst for DiaLOGOS, SharedFuture, GSKI, author and former MP RSA 1999-2019
Global leaders and business executives have been exchanging views on how the world will tackle its biggest issues in 2023 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos.
While few were optimistic with regard to the global economy prior to Davos it seems the global economic outlook for the year ahead is looking better than expected.
Discussion centred on inflationary pressures from China's reopening, rising debt distress in the developing world, the challenge for Western nations to get inflation down to 2% to war in Ukraine. While Ukraine's allies, discussed better weapons and financial support to defend itself against Russia fears of an economic downturn prompted others to emphasise the need for a quick return to the negotiating table.
The United States, Europe and China outlined their industrial policies but it was not clear how the rest of the world fits in to new trade policies that protect workers and redefine supply chains.
After a year of high oil prices, fossil fuel producers are in a position to invest in green energy raising hopes in the renewable industry while activists continue to call on the energy industry to stop hijacking the transition to clean power. And the tech industry's potential and risks, were highlighted by Microsoft and other Silicon Valley executives speaking on artificial intelligence transforming businesses, but resulting in layoffs of tens of thousands of employees globally.
While conspiracy theories around the WEF’s concept of a Great Reset are vague and varied, the general idea is (in the words of Open Democracy) that: the Great Reset is the global elite’s plan to institute a communist world order by abolishing private property while using COVID-19 to solve overpopulation and enslaving what remains of humanity with vaccines”. While these theories contain many assumptions, relatively few facts and ‘shaky’ science, seemingly more rational thinking people also have their own concerns with the plan regarding the concept of “stakeholder capitalism”. This concept which WEF chairman Klaus Schwab has been espousing for many years and which was central to the WEF’s Great Reset Plan 2020 was front and Center at Davos 2023 as-well.
The idea here is that global capitalism should be transformed so that corporations no longer focus solely on serving shareholders but become custodians of society by creating value for customers, suppliers, employees, communities and other ‘stakeholders’. So far so good! The way the WEF sees stakeholder capitalism being carried out is through a range of ‘multi-stakeholder partnerships’ bringing together the private sector, governments and civil society across all areas of global governance.
In the WEF’s vision “the government voice would be one among many without always being the final arbiter”. Governments would be just one stakeholder in a multi-stakeholder model of global governance. While this has a romantic edge to it as politicians and governments have been less than impressive,
“Stakeholder Capitalism” in reality means giving corporations more power over society, and democratic institutions less. Definitely not a good sign for those of us who still believe democracy has an ‘up side’ and is still a better option than both communism or a largely corporate-driven world.
The plan from which the Great Reset originated was called the Global Redesign Initiative which was drafted by the WEF after the 2008 economic crisis (Harris Gleckman, senior fellow at the University of Massachusetts, describes the report as “the most comprehensive proposal for re-designing global governance since the formulation of the United Nations during World War II”).
How we respond rather than react to ideas is important - we should not be afraid to listen, engage and challenge. What we should not do is close our minds and regurgitate half-baked theories and conspiracies that we have not carefully considered from all sides of the many agendas of so many well-meaning and more devious people.
In the words of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus who was a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher: “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth”.
Thinkers throughout the ages have come up with grand ideas for global, national, local and personal enlightenment, governance and growth and it is no different in today’s world. Many philosophers of old who had the ability to see life from a different perspective and shared their thoughts and thought processes with us have been a great gift. While we would not agree with every conclusion they came to, they opened a way of ‘facts checking’ that put myths, folklore and assumptions in context. Their insights have helped shape the thoughts and actions of many generations and helped us to arrive at a better understanding of humanity and how things are meant to work. That is - if we take the time to think about what we are thinking.
With great respect for many ancient and modern philosophers, policy and lawmakers, I am especially grateful for THE GREAT PHILOSOPHER Jesus Christ (our Lord and Saviour) who lived and shared a philosophy of life that is second to none. A philosophy that provides answers to life’s big questions, has not only captured the imagination of many millions but inspired disciples of extraordinary dedication. The philosophy of life He lived and shared makes our job of prayerfully weighing the thoughts and ideas of others possible - not easy but possible!
As leaders from all sectors of society including government return to their countries and endeavour to make sense of the discussions at Davos, our prayers could be crucial in helping them utilise the wisdom and reject the folly as they devise and implement strategies for business and government that will be sustainable, benefit the masses and result in a world order conducive to sharing and receiving truth.