The irony is that the most effective dictating to the government of the day we've seen recently has been by... Nigel Farage.

There's no doubt that power isn't always transparent, but the WEF is just a talking shop and while rich corporations and individuals no doubt move public opinion with their pet spokespeople - just look how well the oil companies have done with climate change denial - governments in democracies can't forcibly lead their population. Quite often they have to follow.