It's the same every year, more or less.

Politicians, the corporate elite, and billionaire rock stars meet in the Swiss sky resort for a jolly good knees-up. The meeting is not over yet, but from my living room several thousand miles away I can comfortably predict the outcomes.

• There will be no trade breakthrough which will allow the developing world to compete on a level playing field. That would be too dangerous for the arch-protectionists in the west.

• There will be no agreement on environmental protection that even come close to the radical steps needed. Indeed many of the Corporate contingent and even the political contingent are climate-change deniers.

So, nothing to curb poverty and nothing to prevent serious climate change. So what is the world's elite, an entourage of thousands, a security force of tens of thousands, and the world's media doing in Switzerland?

For one thing they are cutting loose and letting it all hang out. The evenings in Davos are known for their revelry. Discos, live music, champagne cocktails and, let's not be naive, plenty of cocaine.

They are also having important debates, like "Who will Shape the Agenda?" So, with billions in poverty, more greenhouse gas emissions than ever, the Middle-East in crisis, North Korea going nuclear and much more besides, the world's (mainly unelected) "decision makers" are discussing how they are losing control of the agenda as traditional media channels face Internet opposition.

The world's elite have met to decide "How can I become richer/more powerful in 2007?"

Oh, and of course the whole escapade is on the taxpayer.

The leaders will keep insisting that such meetings are worthwhile, essential, and fruitful. But this is wearing thin. Every round of trade talks fails because of western hypocrisy. And politicians sitting down with corporate CEO's never have anything more important to talk about than power and money.

Such summits as this should be put out to grass, debates should be had at the UN, and Corporations should adhere to the law, not have a say in making it.