COVID-19: The Great Reset | Klaus Schwab and Thierry Malleret

"COVID-19: The Great Reset," co-authored by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and Thierry Malleret, founder of the Monthly Barometer, was published in July 2020. The book dissects the monumental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies, societies, and political systems, framing the crisis as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the world. Schwab, often cast as the quintessential Bond villain with his German accent, and grand pronouncements, teams up with Malleret to argue that the pandemic—matching the scale of historic upheavals—has laid bare systemic flaws like inequality, shaky supply chains, and environmental ruin, while hastening trends such as digitalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The book unfolds in three sections. The "macro reset" surveys the pandemic’s effects on economic, societal, geopolitical, environmental, and technological fronts. The "micro reset" explores how industries and businesses must evolve in this new reality. The "individual reset" ponders shifts in personal values and behaviors post-crisis. Schwab and Malleret push for a "Great Reset," urging a pivot from profit-obsessed capitalism to a "stakeholder economy" focused on sustainability, equity, and resilience, harnessing technology and governance to brace for future shocks. They contend that retreating to the pre-COVID status quo is neither possible nor prudent.

Schwab’s ties to Henry Kissinger, the polarizing former U.S. Secretary of State and realpolitik icon, deepen the intrigue around him. Schwab has cited Kissinger as a mentor and influence, having invited him to speak at WEF events and reportedly seeking his counsel on global affairs. This connection amplifies critics’ unease, linking Schwab to a legacy of shadowy power-broking. The WEF itself is frequently slammed as an elitist club of unaccountable billionaires and technocrats, with Schwab accused of peddling a top-down agenda that erodes sovereignty. The "Great Reset" is derided by some as a Trojan horse for centralized control, with online conspiracies alleging it’s a blueprint for a surveillance-heavy "New World Order"—claims Schwab and the WEF reject as distortions. Others scoff at the book’s rosy tone, arguing it lacks actionable detail and overestimates the goodwill of profit-driven elites.

Schwab’s own words fuel the fire. His cryptic assertion from WEF talks, “You’ll own nothing and be happy,” has become a lightning rod, evoking dystopian visions of serfdom for the masses while elites thrive. Another gem, “The pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world,” strikes critics as a chilling admission of exploiting tragedy for control. His musings on embedding microchips in humans to merge the physical and digital realms only cement his villainous caricature. Detractors see a disconnect from everyday struggles, branding him a Davos-dwelling mastermind out to remake society in his image.

If you want to peer into the mind of Klaus Schwab—this self-styled architect of the future, mentored by Kissinger, and dogged by both legitimate critique and wild speculation—"COVID-19: The Great Reset" is for you. 

About the Authors

Klaus Schwab is a German engineer and economist, best known as the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Born on March 30, 1938, in Ravensburg, Germany, he established the WEF in 1971 as a nonprofit organization aimed at improving global cooperation among business, political, and academic leaders. The WEF is most famous for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where global elites gather to discuss economic, political, and social issues.

Schwab has been a prominent figure in shaping discussions around globalization, technology, and what he calls "stakeholder capitalism"—a concept where businesses prioritize not just profits but also social and environmental responsibilities. He’s also closely associated with the idea of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," which he popularized through his 2016 book of the same name, describing the fusion of physical, digital, and biological technologies (think AI, robotics, and biotech).
His influence and the WEF’s role have made him a polarizing figure. Some see him as a visionary pushing for a more inclusive world economy; others criticize him as a symbol of elitism or even fuel conspiracy theories about global control—claims that tend to exaggerate his actual power. He stepped down as executive chairman of the WEF in 2024 but remains a key figure in its orbit.

Thierry Malleret is a French economist, author, and business strategist, best known for his work with Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF). He co-authored two influential books with Schwab: COVID-19: The Great Reset (2020) and The Great Narrative (2021), which explore the societal and economic impacts of the pandemic and propose visions for a post-COVID world. Malleret is also the founder and managing partner of the Monthly Barometer, a newsletter providing predictive macro-level analysis for investors, CEOs, and decision-makers.

His career spans multiple fields: he’s worked in investment banking (including as Chief Economist and Strategist at Alfa Bank in Russia and as an economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London), academia (with stints in New York and Oxford), and government (three years in the French Prime Minister’s office). At the WEF, he founded and led the Global Risk Network, shaping the Davos meeting programs for several years. Until 2011, he was a senior partner at IJ Partners, a Geneva-based investment boutique, and before that, he founded and sold Rainbow Insight, an advisory firm.

Malleret holds two master’s degrees (in economics and history) and a PhD in economics from the Sorbonne, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, and St. Antony’s College, Oxford. Beyond his analytical work, he’s an avid outdoorsman, founding the Summit of Minds—a series of high-level gatherings blending macro-issue discussions with nature and well-being, held in places like Chamonix. He’s also written several novels, some under pseudonyms, and co-authored Ten Good Reasons to Go for a Walk (2017) with his wife, Mary Anne Malleret.

His association with the WEF and The Great Reset has made him a notable—and sometimes controversial—figure, especially among those skeptical of the WEF agenda.