Going bump in the right: Europe’s worrisome politics
Sep 25, 2023
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Join Matt Steinglass, Deputy Europe Editor at The Economist, and Tom Wainwright, Media Editor, as they delve into the alarming rise of right-wing populism in Europe, spotlighting Hungary, Poland, and Italy. They analyze the implications of the recent radical right demonstrations and the challenges faced leading into the 2024 European Parliament elections. Plus, discover the impact of Rupert Murdoch's retirement on the media landscape and explore the compelling case for shifting American school start times to enhance teen health and academic success.
Populist, right-wing parties are gaining power in Europe, driven by factors such as immigration, economic uncertainty, and culture wars.
Starting school later benefits teenagers by allowing them to get more sleep, leading to improved attendance, reduced disciplinary issues, and higher test scores.
Deep dives
Rupert Murdoch's Retirement and Rise of Hard Right in Europe
Rupert Murdoch has announced his retirement after over 70 years in the media industry. This retirement, however, does not mean he will be stepping away completely, as he will still exert influence as Chairman Emeritus. The succession plan for his media empire is being handed over to his son, Lachlan Murdoch. Across Europe, there has been a rise in support for hard right populist parties, with some already holding power in countries such as Hungary, Poland, and Italy. These parties have differing ideologies and policies, but the rise in support can be attributed to factors such as immigration, economic uncertainty, and culture wars. The far right parties are expected to perform well in the upcoming European Parliament elections in 2024, potentially shifting the balance of power if alliances are formed.
School Start Times and Teen Sleep
Research shows that early morning school start times can be detrimental to the sleep patterns and overall health of teenagers. During puberty, a teenager's biological clock shifts, making it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. and wake up early in the morning. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations have recommended that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. in order to allow teens to get the 8 to 10 hours of sleep they need. Data suggests that when schools adopt later start times, teenagers actually get more sleep, leading to benefits such as improved attendance, reduced disciplinary issues, and higher test scores. Some states have already implemented legislation to push back school start times.
Rupert Murdoch's Influence and Future Challenges
While Rupert Murdoch is retiring from his role as chairman, he will still retain influence and be involved behind the scenes in his media companies, Fox and News Corp. The choice of Lachlan Murdoch as his successor was based on his close relationship with his father and alignment with his political beliefs, rather than being the most talented of the Murdoch siblings. The future of News Corp will, however, face challenges, including strategic missteps and shifting media consumption patterns as cable television declines. Additionally, the eventual passing of control to the four eldest children may bring renewed uncertainty and potential changes in the Murdoch empire's direction.
Populist, right-wing parties are already in power in Hungary, Poland and Italy—and getting closer to it across the continent. We ask why. At long last Rupert Murdoch, the patriarch of a global media empire, has stepped aside—sort of. We examine how he will still pull the strings (09:46). And the merits of letting American pupils start school a bit later (17:39).
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