Davos focus: Future of U.S. and Europe

By Robin Oakley, CNN.com European Political Editor

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo (L) talks to ABB CEO Goeran Lindhal at Davos 2000 as Roche Vice Chairman Andres F. Leuenberger listens

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The World Economic Forum in Davos is in a sense the biggest think tank in the world.

Political and business leaders from around the globe congregate annually in the Swiss resort to search for multilateral solutions to emerging world problems.

Amid much networking the talk is wide-ranging. They don't come up with too many specifics. But the Davos discussions filter through onto the agendas of governments worldwide.

Most years they talk about the march of technology and how to use it to best effect. Regularly they debate the condition of Russia, the progress of the Japanese economy and the pace of China's economic emergence.

At this year's forum, set for January 25-30, there will be much interest in what changes will follow George W. Bush's arrival in the White House just days earlier. Participants will be assessing too whether America is due for a recession or merely a slowdown after its lengthy economic boom.

This year the Davos participants plan to address what organisers call the "globalisation backlash." They will discuss what role remains for national governments in a global age. And they will worry over how to achieve the best balance between economic efficiency and social justice.

The Davos participants last year talked much about the riots in Seattle at the World Trade Organisation meeting shortly before.

Organisers have warned that they will have nothing to do with those who provoke violence in the streets, and they've said they are looking to the Swiss authorities to allow them to meet without disruption.

But they are clearly sensitive to accusations of being a "capitalist club." They will be addressing problems like the "digital divide," hoping to benefit the "have nots" who must exist for a year on what some Davos participants will spend in a night on their Swiss hotel rooms.

Discussions at Davos 2001 can be summarised in four main topics: business and technology, world economy, ethical choices and this year's special subject: Is this to be the era of Europe?