Fon Mathuros, Head of Media, World Economic Forum: Tel.: +41 (0)79 201 0211; E-mail: fmathuro@weforum.org
· World cannot turn its back on globalization and technological change
· Policy-makers should adopt more redistributionist policies, fight tax evasion and increase funding for education and social safety nets
· For more information on the Annual Meeting, see http://wef.ch/davos17
· Follow the World Economic Forum on all digital platforms: wef.ch/follow
18 January 2017, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland – The concerns that are leading to populist movements in many developed countries are real, but the right policies can address them. “We now have an opportune moment to put in place policies that will help,” Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC, told participants at the 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Lagarde suggested more redistributionist policies, since “excessive inequality puts a brake on sustainable growth.” She also urged a stronger social safety net, fiscal and structural reforms, and education to help both young people and mature workers prepare for the technological change that is disrupting the workplace.
Lawrence H. Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University, USA, said that inequality is only one of the causes of rising populism. He also cited “a desire for national unity and strength” and a sense among the middle class that it is no longer in control. “It’s a mistake not to recognize that the middle class in my country and in others is concerned that the government is not fighting for it.” Summers urged not only more investment in infrastructure and education to provide support for the middle class, but also aggressive action against the tax and regulatory arbitrage that permits many large companies and wealthy individuals to play by different rules. Summers also noted that globalization today is less about importing and exporting goods, and more about integrated global supply chains.
“We may be at a point where globalization is ending,” said Ray Dalio, Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Bridgewater Associates, USA. Dalio cited the rise in populism, which he too attributed not just to the biggest wealth gap since the 1930s, but also to a sense among the middle class that governing elites do not represent them. “Populism scares me,” Dalio said, calling it “the number-one issue for market participants.” But Dalio said that the world should not turn its back on globalization and technological change, so the question for the coming years is: “Can the middle be cohesive enough so that the extremes won’t be in control?”
Henrique Meirelles, Minister of Finance of Brazil, reminded participants that, “Globalization is allowing massive numbers of people to get out of poverty. If you look around the globe, the net effect is extremely positive.” He said that the current trends of middle-class anger are specific to certain developed countries, while many emerging countries such as Brazil have seen strong growth in the middle class over the last 20 years. Brazil is currently seeing a reversal in this trend due to a recession, but Meirelles expressed confidence that his country was only suffering “a short-term problem” and “we are in a moment of establishing a middle class.”
“I don’t think we are exiting globalization,” argued Pier Carlo Padoan, Minister of Economy and Finance of Italy. “We are entering a new stage.” Padoan urged his fellow European policy-makers to listen to middle-class concerns for their own futures and those of their children. The right responses should include coherent strategies to face the challenge of migration and to generate business confidence. “In Italy, let me assure everyone that we are continuing our reform strategy, despite what you might be hearing.” Padoan explained that, even without new legislation to attract headlines, implementation of recently passed reform laws is advancing.
The 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is taking place on 17-20 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, under the theme Responsive and Responsible Leadership. More than 3,000 participants from nearly 100 countries will participate in over 400 sessions.
Notes to editors:
Read our blogs: http://wef.ch/agenda
Watch Annual Meeting sessions: http://wef.ch/youtube
Access our photo archive: http://wef.ch/pics
Become a Facebook fan: http://wef.ch/facebook
Follow us on Twitter: http://wef.ch/twitter and http://wef.ch/livetweet (hashtag #WEF)
Follow us on Weibo: http://t.sina.com.cn/davos
Find us on WeChat: davos_wef