"Davos Man" Exposed: Can Billionaires Really Solve Our Problems?
Watch the full CASI-hosted event.
At a recent event at Stanford Graduate School of Business, hosted by the Corporations and Society Initiative (CASI), Peter Goodman, a New York Times reporter, discussed key themes from his book, Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World. Goodman explored the pervasive disconnect between the billionaire class at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the broader societal needs they claim to address. He highlighted that while these billionaires acknowledge vast social and economic issues, they resist substantial sacrifices that could redistribute their wealth or challenge their status, preferring instead to present themselves as capable saviors without necessitating democratic or regulatory intervention. This stance, Goodman argues, perpetuates inequality, and overlooks the essential role of democratic processes in genuinely addressing systemic challenges. The discussion was moderated by CASI student leader Rachel Keathley (MBA ’24).
Read the GSB Insights summary article here.
