Millay’s Call for Revival of Western Values at WEF

Argentine President Javier Millay addressed the crowd at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. He urged Western nations to revisit Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Judeo-Christian values to navigate “our dark present.”

This marked Millay’s third appearance at the WEF as president. During his speech, he condemned socialism and described the so-called “woke” ideology as a “cancer” and “an epidemic” needing urgent remedy.

Reflecting on previous speeches, Millay remarked that 2026 would herald positive change. “The world is waking up. Look at America—freedom is resurfacing,” he stated.

He kicked off his remarks with a declaration that “Machiavelli is dead.” Millay criticized a long-standing narrative that pits political effectiveness against Western ethical values in public policy decisions. He argued that the dichotomy between efficiency and fairness is misleading; both can and should coexist.

“What is fair cannot be inefficient, and efficiency cannot be unfair,” he explained, emphasizing that these concepts are interlinked.

Millay cautioned that neglecting ethical and moral standards could result not just in injustice but also in social and economic collapse, potentially threatening the fabric of Western civilization. He revisited themes from earlier speeches, equating certain socialist policies to misleading traps—appealing yet ultimately disastrous.

He pointed to Venezuela’s plight, highlighting an 80% drop in GDP alongside the rise of a violent dictatorship as a cautionary tale against socialist practices. “We need to revive freedom amidst the ethical decay spreading in Western societies,” he urged, asserting that capitalism’s defense should rest on its moral foundations rather than a mere utilitarian viewpoint.

“To escape our dark present, we should draw from Greek philosophy, embrace Roman law, and return to Judeo-Christian values. This is essential for the West,” he insisted.

Millay listed his administration’s successes, including eliminating a 15% budget deficit, slashing inflation from 300% to 30%, and reducing poverty from 57% to 27%, all achieved through ethical public policies.

He highlighted the Ministry of Deregulation’s reforms under Federico Starzenegger, claiming they resulted in a more efficient economy, even stating, “Make Argentina Great Again.” Despite facing criticism, he reaffirmed that free-market capitalism aligns with moral values, reiterating his opening line about Machiavelli’s demise.

Concluding, he referenced this week’s Jewish Torah section, *Parshat Bo*, which narrates Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh, characterized as a “symbol of oppressive state power.” Millay drew parallels with modern scenarios, explaining how refusal to embrace freedom leads to societal peril.

“There was a time when Western countries turned their backs on freedom,” he reflected, cautioning that the increasing acceptance of socialism poses real dangers. “But in 2026, I bring good news: freedom is rising again in America,” he said enthusiastically.

Millay concluded that America has the potential to light the path for the Western world, urging a return to the values that underpin civilization and promising a brighter future if these roots are embraced again.