A Comparative Analysis of Leadership: Xi Jinping and Trump's Authoritarian Aspirations

This week Dan Romero joins Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg to discuss the overuse of the term “fascism,” what has led to the capabilities of China and the U.S., and much more. Match a donation up to $100 for your favorite charity with GiveWell by going to https://givewell.org and pick “Podcast” and enter Econ 102 at checkout.

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RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHist

Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.

Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj

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Check out Erik's new show Request for Startups featuring a rotating cast of founders and investors (including Dan) sharing their requests for startups they want to exist in the world, and also their stories of navigating the idea maze in different sectors so founders don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore. The first episode is out now - we over better dating apps, references as a service, and WeWork for productivity

• Watch and Subscribe on Substack: https://requestforstartups.substack.com/p/receipt-based-dating-reference-checks
• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/request-for-startups-with-erik-torenberg/id1728659822
• Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/739L1LR32QI2XyoZlRh5nv

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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.

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Sponsors: GIVEWELL | NETSUITE

Have you ever wondered where your donation could have the most impact? GiveWell has now spent over 15 years researching charitable organizations and only directs funding to the highest impact opportunities they’ve found in global health and poverty alleviation. Make informed decisions about high-impact giving. If you’ve never donated through GiveWell before, you can have your donation matched up to $100 before the end of the year, or as long as matching funds last. To claim your match, go to https://givewell.org and pick “Podcast” and enter Econ 102 at checkout.

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Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. To learn more: www.turpentine.co

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LINKS:

- Noahpinion on Substack: https://www.noahpinion.blog/

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X / TWITTER:

@dwr (Dan)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@noahpinion (Noah)

@Econ102_Podcast (Econ 102)

@moz_podcast (Moment of Zen)

@TurpentineMedia

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) The word 'Fascist'

(08:40) Economic transformation in China

(13:04) SPONSOR: GIVEWELL

(16:10) Impacts of Trump's policies

(19:07) The renegotiation of NAFTA

(23:51) United States' withdrawal from the Middle East

(27:22) SPONSORS: NETSUITE & MASTERCLASS

(30:05) Asia & US foreign policy

(41:46) The importance of focusing on Asia

(48:20) U.S. production during World War II

(50:14) China's production capabilities

(51:26) Elon Musk & Henry Ford

(54:09) Private markets for defense technology

(55:38) Political unity & seriousness in war

(58:57) US military budget and production

(59:56) Industrial production in World War II

(01:05:30) Trump's impact on China

(01:09:16) Building alliances against China

(01:14:48) Political unity and continuity in foreign policy