Davos

Cameron is at Davos, explaining what he meant in his EU speech and other, world affecting stuff. The reason is that Davos is about big stuff. Important stuff, which is why the biggest and best are there. But what is it really about?

Well, it's a nice networking opportunity which taxpayers pay for, allowing politicians to pitch for future employment or seek advantage for their pet projects. It allows trouble makers to snipe too, but they are always going to do that somewhere.

But what Davos is really about is an opportunity for big business to lobby to get its way in legislation to hamper competitors (usually smaller companies) and increase retained profits. The executives are also keen these days that politicians continue to ignore their pay and tax dodges. It is also an opportunity for the likes of the IMF to grandstand and push their agendas.

Anything of actual use or broad acceptance to the overwhelming majority paying for these junkets is not really of any interest to anyone attending. It's a meeting to make sure that no-one rocks the boat and if a country needs to do something that might show up some shady activity elsewhere, for instance, they discuss how best to cover it up.

The outcome of these meetings is things like the spread of supermarkets, big arms deals, management consultancy contracts and laws forcing you to use services that are often unnecessary, as the asbestos clear-up companies have successfully lobbied for in the past.

This is not even the unacceptable face of capitalism, as the bosses of the large corporations meeting in Davos  are seeking strong, big government that can enforce their will. Democracy doesn't really help this kind of government so it is no wonder a number of them support institutions like the EU. Big business likes the EU installing laws that require expensive testing, as it effectively kills off the small companies that are such a pain to them.

Big government has a habit of requiring high levels of taxation to cover their wasteful activity and big business is also keen to make sure the politicians don't chase them or their companies for tax. The upshot of these activities is usually, if not immediately instability and social unrest, such as we see in Greece, so ultimately coming back and slapping politicians and businesses in the face.

But today, the opportunities for power (for politicians) and wealth (for executives and politicians) are beguiling and convince them that this time it will be different, they'll get away with it.