Be that as it is the destiny of this man is more than remarkable. With a well -defined goal, extraordinary perseverance, some personal finances at the start, an obvious talent in high -level relationships, he managed to build a rich and powerful machine, with six hundred jobs and many additional activities. It took him years to give his Davos appointment a first European and then global dimension. You can gloss endlessly on its alleged ideology. Above all, it was a question of establishing prestigious contacts, flattering the ego of stakeholders and participants. No, contrary to what its contemptors unleashed, the WEF has never marked the march of the world. But he took value of a symbol.
Klaus Schwab had a high idea of himself. Seeing himself founder of such an areopical, he felt all powerful. The absolute boss of a foundation widely funded over the years by a host of donors. When the first alarms flashed, the rupture with Russia, the call to distance itself from China, the emergence of the BRICS, then the Trump’s Tohu-Bohu, this very elderly (87-year-old) boss was slow to take into account the upheavals in progress. As he has long underestimated the new ethical requirements in the management of collaborators. He was undoubtedly amazed at the reproaches made to him in this regard, as regarding the involvement of his wife and his son in all the affairs of a foundation in no way comparable to a family business.
What if Switzerland learned some teachings from “Schwab syndrome”?
Switzerland, like him, is very sure of herself. A quality, but when it asserts itself to the point of excluding doubt, the danger is watching. We consider the tremors of the present time with lucidity, of course, but with the conviction that we will get better than the others. Our political, economic – very real merits! -We will shelter from the worst, we think.
Not so sure. Let’s see the painting coldly. The still healthy economy sees several shadows. American policy aims to attract investments by billions, not only on the side of the pharmas. For years, Swiss savings have been massaged en masse to the United States, especially to finance this household through treasury bills. For a long time, Swiss banks have been under the punitive eye of the American authority. Who can see a delightful effect of this servitude? The lesson? By dint of betting on the dollar, “the national bank owes its salvation only to gold”, title the agefi. Too bad that in 2000 it sold half of this treasure. Particularly on the advice of Professor Lausannois von Ungen-Sternberg. Seeing the price of the ounce at the time and that of today, multiplied by ten, we can estimate what escaped the current BNS assessment: 130 billion francs!
Technologies, Agriculture, Defense: What diagnosis does it?
China overwhelms us – and will do it more and more because of the tension with the USA – from products to derisory prices, sold even at a loss. Retail merchants know something about it. Even more serious: its upgrade in the most sophisticated segments is increased competition for our own technological pearls. Our performances in this regard are undoubtedly, envied by many. But not in all areas. Swiss watchmaking has missed the turn to the connected watch, however so appreciated by the young generations. There remains the luxury department. But is the mythology of the bracelet that gives the time eternal?
Swiss peasants are happy, are massively supported by direct payments and import regulation, variable according to the seasons and needs, which is very rare elsewhere. Until when will this remain possible? American negotiators are already putting the subject on the menu. The EU, hitherto very understanding in this regard, could one day notify it during bilateral talks.
Another paradigm where, like Schwab, we are slow to see the wheel of time turning: armaments. Current wars show that new weapons play a more decisive role than old armored vehicles and planes: combat drones. We produce none. We have no defense system to defend ourselves. Our soldiers are looking to the past and always demand more than billions to stay in tradition. In addition, without great beneficial benefits for our economy. Recently, just crumbs to update. Sterile expenses when the Federal Council cuts into training and research budgets.
Pastism and excessive self -confidence reassures at the time, little about the future. Isn’t that, Mr. Schwab?
Exaggerated pessimism?
Maybe. It is true that our society has a thousand assets to deal with dangers. Creativity, the taste for work, institutions that allow rebounds – unlike certain neighbors … – a social cohesion that is good despite the deficiencies. Yes, there is a Swiss genius! But to gargare too much, we risk coughing.
Our beautiful insurance, nourished by history and the present, does not dispense with looking at our weak points, to react with anticipation and imagination. Many do it, we congratulate them by case. But by kissing all the concerns of a wide look, there is something to frown. Any individual can feel in great shape, run without running out of steam, and simmer at the same time an ugly illness that remains discreet for a long time. Prevention! Hygiene of life! Early diagnosis! clamps doctors. Thank you, we understood.
Then at least one exercise can be beneficial: balancing. Between what alarms and what makes you hope.
