Economist Podcasts
Checks and Balance: Year all about it
Nov 17, 2023
John Sides, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University, shares insights from his research on past presidential elections. Ed Carr, deputy editor of The Economist, discusses the global implications of a potential second Trump term. They analyze current polling, highlighting Trump's lead in key states and Biden's challenges with approval ratings and voter enthusiasm. The panel emphasizes the complexities of voter demographics and local issues that could swing the election, along with the broader impact of U.S. politics on international relations.
50:27
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- A second term for Donald Trump could have serious consequences for the world beyond America, with the potential for unorthodox policies and a disregard for the rule of law and international alliances.
- The 2024 presidential election remains uncertain, with polls a year before the election having little predictive value, highlighting the need for improvement and increased enthusiasm among supporters for Joe Biden's campaign.
Deep dives
Foreign Policy Implications of a Trump Second Term
A second term for Donald Trump could have serious consequences for the world beyond America. While his transactional approach to foreign policy in his first term may not have been as bad as feared, a second term could see Trump unencumbered by reality and lacking solid values. His unorthodox policies, such as universal tariffs, could defy comprehension and harm America's interests. Moreover, his disregard for the rule of law and potential retribution against his enemies could undermine America's credibility abroad. This has already strained alliances and could embolden countries to test the status quo. The world in 2023 is more volatile and less assured than it was in 2016, creating a risky environment for a second Trump term.
