In a world often dominated by reformers’ restrictive influences, there are still pockets of freedom where individuals defy control. In the quieter regions of the Republic, for instance, the vibrant sounds of Saturday night gatherings echo through the ancient oak groves.
In these unorthodox gatherings, people come together under the soft glow of the moonlight, dancing to lively zydeco rhythms while enjoying their favorite beverages. These revelers demonstrate that even amidst the overwhelming presence of government and the crisis of mass fentanyl addiction, there are still areas in America where liberty thrives.
Globally, there are similar havens of independence where individuals can take advantage of gas-burning stovetops, free from governmental oversight. These unique spots boast their own distinct cultures and traditions, yet they share a common desire: to be left in peace by the government.
Even in the old world, though rare, some communities have not entirely succumbed to oppressive governance. While their folk songs may be more solemn and their drinks less sweet, there are still places where people come together, passionately dancing the polka in town squares without interference.
However, Davos, Switzerland, nestled beside the Landwasser River in the Swiss Alps, does not fit this mold. For 51 weeks a year, it serves as an upscale tourism destination and ski resort, but during one week each January, it transforms into the venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF), attracting business, political, and academic leaders.
This year, the 55th WEF unfolded with much fanfare. Let’s explore some of its main highlights.
Shaping Lives
This year’s WEF theme, ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,’ revolved around five key areas: rethinking growth, industries under the intelligent age umbrella, investing in people, preserving the planet, and restoring trust. An overarching narrative emerged: how governments and corporations can effectively orchestrate people’s lives.
By now, it’s apparent that the term ‘reimagining’ serves as a euphemism for centralized planning. A prime example occurred when California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a Marshall Plan to reimagine Los Angeles. The charred landscape serves as a new testing ground for central planners eager to implement their 15-minute city models to exert control over the population.
The WEF 2025 opening film showcased humanity’s journey of industrialization. Acknowledgment was given to nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 nations converging to tackle some of the globe’s most pressing challenges.
However, despite the impressive attendance, the caliber of participation was diminished. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all chose not to attend.
From the G7 nations, the only leader present was outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Meanwhile, former President Trump delivered a virtual address, asserting his intention to “demand that interest rates drop immediately.”
This stark contrast to the past, where the WEF boasted an array of high-profile attendees, signals a shift. The days when government leaders frequently delivered key speeches have diminished, coinciding with emerging nationalism and a focus on unilateral policies.
Nonetheless, one significant figure did grace the event this year: Argentina’s President Javier Milei.
The Anti-State Advocate
Milei, who assumed office in December 2023, champions a libertarian philosophy that positions him against the prevailing political norms. While many in Davos advocate for an expanding government role, Milei argues that the government is the source of the issue.
He points to a century of socialist policies in Argentina, a time marked by fiscal deficits, defaults, currency crises, hyperinflation, rampant poverty, corruption, and economic stagnation, as evidence of the failures of government intervention. Consequently, he has vowed to dismantle much of this bureaucracy.
In his address at last year’s WEF, Milei delivered a powerful counter-narrative aimed at the assembled business leaders:
“Do not be intimidated by the political class or by those who profit off the state. Resist the urge to submit to a political class that seeks only to maintain its own power and privileges. You are the benefactors of society. You are the heroes who have contributed to an unprecedented era of prosperity.
“Let no one convince you that your ambition is immoral. If you create wealth, it’s because you provide superior products and services that enhance societal well-being.
“Do not permit the state to advance unchecked. The state is not the solution; it is the problem itself. You are the true protagonists in this narrative, and rest assured, from this moment on, Argentina stands as your unwavering ally.”
These remarks hold great weight, particularly because they were directed at influential political figures at Davos.
Milei’s Return to Davos
Over the past year, Milei has fulfilled his commitment to eradicating excessive government regulation and bureaucracy with great success.
Remarkably, he has achieved what many deemed impossible: eliminating Argentina’s fiscal deficit for the first time in 123 years. He has also reduced the number of federal ministries from 18 to eight and halted the near hyperinflation of the Argentine peso.
These changes have caught the attention of business leaders and investors, with Argentina’s Merval stock index outperforming globally, achieving a staggering 172 percent increase in 2024.
This week, following President Trump’s inauguration, Milei returned to Davos, continuing his tradition of confronting the political elite with uncomfortable truths.
“The mental virus of woke ideology is a pervasive pandemic that threatens the very foundation of Western civilization. Wokeism must be eradicated. It has encroached upon our institutions, universities, media, and even international organizations. Feminism, equality, gender ideologies, climate change, abortion, and immigration are all facets of the same monstrosity, designed to justify the state’s encroachment. This is the great epidemic of our times that must be addressed. It is the cancer that needs to be removed.”
Milei pointed out the contributors to this narrative, asserting that events like Davos have played a significant role in promoting the damaging agenda of wokeism.
Amen to that!
If you’re interested in following the latest developments from Argentina, check out our friend Joel Bowman’s Notes from the End of the World, where he shares insights from his home base in Buenos Aires.
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Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism
