Economist Podcasts Paranoia politics: a Tunisian lesson in demagoguery
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Sep 1, 2023 
Robert Guest, Deputy Editor of The Economist, sheds light on the turbulent political landscape in Tunisia, where the president exploits racial tensions to bolster his power. He discusses the alarming rise in nationalist sentiments and how fear is weaponized against sub-Saharan African migrants. The conversation takes a turn as it touches on why some Americans, like the Johnson family, are fleeing to Europe in search of safety from gun violence and systemic racism. We also hear a tribute to a Ukrainian pilot committed to his dream amid the chaos of war.
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Displacement in Sfax
- Robert Guest visited Sfax, Tunisia, and witnessed the displacement of black people due to mob violence.
- One man, Mohammed from Guinea, showed Guest injuries from being beaten and evicted from his home.
Scapegoating Tactics
- Tunisia's President Kais Saied's scapegoating of black Africans distracts from his dismantling of democratic institutions.
- One resident, Mustafa, even blamed black people for inflation, illustrating the effectiveness of this tactic.
Global Fear-Mongering
- Fear-mongering and paranoid nationalism are tactics employed by various leaders globally to consolidate power and deflect criticism.
- Examples include Putin's justification of the Ukraine war and other leaders blaming social change on foreign influence.