Economist Podcasts podcast

Economist Podcasts

Every weekday our global network of correspondents makes sense of the stories beneath the headlines. We bring you surprising trends and tales from around the world, current affairs, business and finance — as well as science and technology. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Every weekday our global network of correspondents makes sense of the stories beneath the headlines. We bring you surprising trends and tales from around the world, current affairs, business and finance — as well as science and technology. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

 

#1412

The Intelligence: Truce talk

[The ceasefire deal] (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/05/06/hamas-talks-up-a-truce-but-israel-may-still-invade-rafah?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , which Hamas has agreed to, prompted celebrations in Gaza. But Binyamin Netanyahu isn’t satisfied and the fighting continues. [Video game adaptations] (https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/04/18/how-hollywood-fell-in-love-with-video-games?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) are getting better, and becoming a more popular choice with Hollywood’s directors (10:01). And the best-selling literary love-child of [romance and fantasy] (https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/04/26/romantasy-brings-dragons-and-eroticism-together-at-last?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (14:27). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

5 hrs Ago

20 MINS

20:45

5 hrs Ago


#1411

The Intelligence: Mandela’s vision, tested

Thirty years of democracy have not led to uniform prosperity, and nearly everyone disagrees about the equality of opportunity. How will [the disenchantment] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/05/02/why-south-africans-are-fed-up-after-30-years-of-democracy?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) manifest at the polls? How two small Texas towns became the [patent-law centre] (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/04/16/how-two-small-texas-towns-became-the-patent-law-centre-of-america?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) of America (12:16). And a tribute to [Eleanor Coppola] (https://www.economist.com/obituary/2024/05/02/eleanor-coppola-recorded-how-a-cinematic-triumph-almost-came-unstuck?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , mastermind of the award-winning behind-the-scenes look at her husband’s epic, “Apocalypse Now” (19:26). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

Yesterday

27 MINS

27:37

Yesterday


#1410

The Intelligence: Our meeting with Macron

France’s president is known for pronouncements of grand scope with one eye toward history. But when our journalists visited him at his residence his assessment of the state of the world was bleak—a dark, prophetic [call to arms] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/05/02/emmanuel-macrons-urgent-message-for-europe?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) . In this special episode, we ask whether his view is accurate, whether his [proposed solutions] (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/05/02/how-to-rescue-europe) would work and whether he is the person to enact them. Read the full transcript of our interview [here] (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/05/02/emmanuel-macron-in-his-own-words-english?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) . Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

03 May 2024

29 MINS

29:15

03 May 2024


#1409

The Intelligence: The kids are alright, turns out

When you look around the world, and at a wider set of measures, Generation Z are [far better off] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/04/18/reasons-to-be-cheerful-about-generation-z?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) than the popular narrative would have you believe. We examine what India’s push to [soup up its nukes] (https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/03/14/india-is-souping-up-its-nuclear-missiles?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) means for the global arms race (09:30). And even as global fertility rates fall, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a [relative baby boom] (https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2024/04/16/what-a-baby-boom-means-for-africa?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (17:11). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

02 May 2024

21 MINS

21:26

02 May 2024


#1408

Babbage: Teens and their screens

Ever since there have been smartphones and social media, there have been concerns about how they might be affecting children. Over the past decade, doctors have seen a decline in mental health in the young in much of the rich world. But whether that rise can be attributed to technology is still a matter of fierce debate. Nevertheless, [demands are growing] (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/04/17/what-is-screen-time-doing-to-children?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=babbage&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) to proactively restrict teenagers’ access to phones and social media, just in case. How concerned should parents and teachers be? Or is this just another moral panic? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Contributors: Tom Wainwright, The Economist's technology and media editor; Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood; Carol Vidal of Johns Hopkins University; Pete Etchells, a psychologist at Bath Spa University and the author of “Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time”. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

01 May 2024

42 MINS

42:16

01 May 2024


#1407

The Intelligence: Going back to raid school

A dramatic overnight raid in New York City was just one sign that protests at American universities are set [to continue] (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/04/30/escalating-protests-expose-three-fault-lines-on-american-campuses?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) —a clear historical echo in an already-fraught election year. We ask why a niche newspaper run by Japan’s communist party has [so much influence] (https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/04/18/an-obscure-communist-newspaper-is-shaping-japans-politics?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (13:05). And a study of [new books] (https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/04/05/the-drawbacks-and-benefits-of-solitude?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) on loneliness reveals both the benefits and drawbacks of solitude (20:39). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

01 May 2024

27 MINS

27:11

01 May 2024


#1406

The Intelligence: Dengue’s grip on Latin America

The dengue-fever case counts now break regional records every year—and the structural reasons behind [the spike] (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/04/25/dengue-fever-is-surging-in-latin-america?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) suggest this sometimes-deadly virus will soon threaten more of the world. Breaches and security holes keep revealing how much of the internet’s innards are [maintained by volunteers] (https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2024/04/23/why-is-so-much-of-the-internets-infrastructure-run-by-volunteers?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) ; we ask why (09:45). And the case for [moving over] (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/03/21/the-secret-to-career-success-may-well-be-off-to-the-side?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , not up, at work (17:10). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

30 Apr 2024

22 MINS

22:55

30 Apr 2024


#1405

The Intelligence: A civil society in waiting

The ruling military junta that seized power in a coup in 2021 is [losing ground] (https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/04/11/myanmars-junta-is-losing-ever-more-ground?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , slowly—and the rebels are now thinking about what happens if they win. We examine the structural reasons behind Britain’s [dearth of industrial robots] (https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/04/16/where-are-all-the-british-robots?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (10:22). And climate change boosts Canada’s yields of [maple syrup] (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/04/18/the-worlds-insatiable-appetite-for-canadas-maple-syrup?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , but also threatens to make them unpredictable (15:44). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

29 Apr 2024

22 MINS

22:16

29 Apr 2024


#1404

Checks and Balance: Aid, and a bet

For months, a big foreign-aid deal looked like it was [going nowhere] (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/04/20/the-house-of-representatives-just-gave-ukraine-the-best-news-it-has-had-for-a-year?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=checksandbalance&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) in the House of Representatives. Now $95bn of support is heading out the door. How did the bill get through? What does it mean for Ukraine and for [American leadership in the world] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/04/20/finally-americas-congress-does-right-by-ukraine?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=checksandbalance&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) ? Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Adam O’Neal and Anton La Guardia. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

48 MINS

48:25

26 Apr 2024


#1403

The Intelligence: Britain’s latest bad idea

As Parliament has now agreed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, many members of the ruling Conservative party want to [quit the court] (https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/04/25/why-britains-membership-of-the-echr-has-become-a-political-issue) that tried to block it. It would be yet another costly mistake. Earth’s largest refrigerator, [Antarctica] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/03/27/antarctica-needs-a-lot-more-attention?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) , is defrosting. What does this mean for the rest of the world (09:24)? And a tribute to the [American journalist] (https://www.economist.com/obituary/2024/04/25/terry-anderson-was-held-by-islamic-militants-for-2454-days?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) held captive by Hizbullah for almost 7 years (17:50). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

26 MINS

26:05

26 Apr 2024


#1402

The Intelligence: The world’s biggest humanitarian crisis

Ravaged by a civil war, Sudan could see a [nationwide famine] (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/04/15/after-a-year-of-war-sudan-is-a-failing-state?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) by August. With humanitarian aid being blocked on both sides, it is increasingly difficult to get supplies to those who need them the most. How to protect an [endangered language] (https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/04/11/how-to-protect-an-endangered-language?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (09:01). And, why domestic cats have become an existential threat to [Scottish wildcats] (https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/04/11/a-story-of-scottish-wildcats?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) (14:43). Additional audio courtesy of the [Endangered Language Alliance] (https://www.elalliance.org/) Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

25 Apr 2024

18 MINS

18:44

25 Apr 2024


#1401

The Intelligence: America’s college crackdowns

Police clashes with [protesters at Columbia University] (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/04/23/efforts-to-tackle-student-protests-in-america-have-backfired-badly) have spilled over into other institutions, raising the question of how to protect free speech on campuses. Given America’s history with students’ anti-war protests going awry, should politicians be worried? Why most British voters now think [Brexit] (https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/04/11/why-most-people-regret-brexit?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) was a mistake (we did [warn] (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2015/10/17/the-reluctant-european) you!) (08:53) And, could [new tech] (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/04/11/new-technology-can-keep-whales-safe-from-speeding-ships?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) protect whales from speeding ships (15:45)? Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— [Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+] (https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus) For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our [FAQs page] (https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts) or watch [our video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY) explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

24 Apr 2024

21 MINS

21:21

24 Apr 2024