Here's a problem governments worldwide are wrestling with: public debt keeps climbing, and the traditional playbook isn't cutting it anymore. So what's the new idea? Look to where the money actually is—private wealth.

The Carrot Approach to Government Financing

According to UBS chief economist Paul Donovan, one strategy involves making it attractive for wealthy individuals to voluntarily park their money in government bonds. Think tax-free premium bonds that incentivize channeling private savings into state financing. Donovan discussed this approach during a roundtable on the 2026 economic outlook, pointing to historical precedent like the UK's post-1945 efforts.

But there's also a stick. Donovan acknowledged that governments might pursue more aggressive measures—taxing wealth through capital gains or inheritance levies. And the timing makes sense from a policy perspective: somewhere between $80 trillion and $124 trillion is expected to change hands over the coming decades as baby boomers pass wealth to the next generation. That's a massive transfer governments are eyeing to address mounting fiscal pressures.

The Debt Problem Gets Real

Global public debt has blown past $100 trillion, and politicians are scrambling for solutions. President Trump has leaned on tariffs to boost revenue, while UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called for collective action to strengthen public finances, emphasizing that individuals need to contribute to secure the nation's future.

The U.S. situation is particularly stark—national debt stands at $38 trillion. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, warned this could trigger a "national security crisis," constraining resource allocation and weakening American leverage internationally.

Competing Visions for the Path Forward

Elon Musk and President Trump have proposed contrasting strategies to tackle the fiscal mess. Musk champions technology-driven growth as the solution, while Trump continues betting on tariff revenue to chip away at the debt.

Economist Ray Dalio has forecasted major economic disruptions stemming from this debt surge, underscoring how urgent the situation has become. As debt levels continue their upward march, tapping into private wealth—whether through incentives or taxation—may evolve from policy experiment to fiscal necessity for governments around the globe.