The developed world is known for this kind of gimmickry and if you can tell me whether anything has come out of these meetings, then I will change my stance and be a supporter of these meetings.
I have no doubt in my mind that the previous meetings were created for the purpose of getting the surplus resources of the world to augment the income of the hotels there in Davos. Nawaz Sharif went there, Musharraf was there with a very heavy contingent and so was Shaukat Aziz, and all went for a ride to the snow-mountains of Switzerland.
The previous outings have been disastrous inasmuch as if I rightly recall Musharraf and company were there and they played havoc with the resources. The fleet of cars that were hired were more than 100, the rooms in luxury hotels cost a mammoth amount. The contingent of over 50 stayed at Davos for more than 15 days when the conference was over in three days. Escorting teams were brought in from Sweden, and other countries and a helicopter was commandeered for the top personal. Special dinners were hosted for the friends of the then chief executive.
A party was arranged by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). No one paid heed to the documentation that was prepared [actually under-graduate status]. Transport and cost was incurred on the journey from Berne to Davos, the other route was the helicopter. No Pakistani night was considered and none taken. Millions of dollars spent when the only meeting was done with the CEOs of the extractive trade, not of the manufacturing type. No economic activity came out of these meetings in the past. The further tragedy was that only five people were allowed to enter the main hall and that meant that the CEO and the ADC and three others could go in while the others were twiddling their thumbs.
So why do we do it, why do we waste time? Money can be recouped I guess but why do we waste time as time wasted is money wasted. The 50 odd people were there for what purpose and why were there for that many days. Why an advance party? Time and again the ego actions of the developing world are such as to create problems in the economic arena. The other countries do it differently. The tourist trade gains immensely from these arrangements and if one were to count the cost and the benefits that have accrued to Pakistan then the proof of any benefit is just not there. I checked with some of them that were there. I found them pretty poor in there dealing with the developing world. All these resources wasted for what purpose?
The developed world is organised in such a way that the exploitation of the poor countries can go on unabated. If evidence was needed for the Keynesian quote that 'capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men, for the nastiest of reasons, will somehow work for the benefit of us all' is not tenable as it aspires for different things. All these gimmicks that the West makes were for detrimental purposes. All these mentions of growth and GDP are just false illusions and capitalism is ill served by these kinds of measurement tricks. Poverty keeps on getting worse. During period when the world figures were better did economic inequity increase or decrease? The illusion is worked for they do not have any other measuring stick and yet the world was none the least worse when these measures were not there.
Davos thus has a function for the elites as it maintains a transnational alliance of elites. The loans that were made to Pakistan were used for consumption purposes and the activity was not helpful to the economic situation. Yes, the elites from Pakistan were identified with the elites of the First World and that was important for the Pakistanis. So is the philosophy that the transnational companies help in the development of the nation? Engro has just posted a heavy profit when the company is in monopoly situation. The CEOs are paid massively, and in no way, less than the bankers of the West. Interest rates are modified to the likings of the transnational companies. You name it they have it up there sleeve. Microfinance was brought in and the same thing happened. Every now and then, the WB and the venerated gentlemen of the economic forum allude to various difficulties that have emerged in the system, never to the benefit of the poor man as user.
The global political economy needs a recharge that is totally different. The entire economic scenario built by the developed institutions of the West will never end inequality. The structural flaws that have been put in place make sure that the developing world suffers from the consequence of the actions of the developed world. The conditionalities that are imposed on the developing world make it subservient to the whims of the elites of the developed world. As long as the Third World elites remain subservience to the elites of the First World and keep on taking unwarranted profits from their venture, the developing world would remain on the back foot. So, now we are aware where the aid comes from and where does it go?
Once the meetings are over, the outcomes seldom come out. These are shrouded in mystery. The discussions have no relevance and no purpose. Crucial decisions are taken that do the Third World in. When we talk of the future for that is what Davos is all about, then the future is all about self-control and this necessarily leads us in to the realm of ideals. So, how does idealism increased and practised in Davos? The short answer is that it is not and the justification is the time honoured one try and be 'realistic'. Can there be any realism without any idealism? The developed world has become cynical and abrasive towards the developing world. In actual fact when ideals are lost, reality is also lost. When there is no sense of the world about us, there is self-righteousness and self-justification.
With BBC and CNN covering the event they will make whatever they want to do. The gloating voices of the comperes do not give any indication of any source by which the real and the ideal interact as early and as frequently as possible. They are part of the insensitive agenda of the develop world and so they see matters as they do. The developed world in the past lived greedily on the assets of the poor countries through a system of trying to do the same in the future and through a new system of exploitation. The habits of the past are still present.
That means that the developing world may like to see the Davos meeting in the light of some of the assertions made. The power of the developed world is not helpful in removing unreason and there lies another dilemma. The future senses are dulled by the insensitivities required for the future. Greed has it everywhere. That greed cannot be allowed to feed into our future. Are we going to be handicapped by the greed of the immediate past going to the new avenues being projected? Davos is one such avenue. There are others.