Unhedged Martin Wolf on the economics of populism
56 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Martin Wolf, the FT's chief economics commentator, shares his expertise on the complex relationship between populism and economic health. He defines populism's appeal and explores its damaging effects on long-term growth, highlighting Argentina's cyclical struggles. Wolf also evaluates the implications of U.S. populist policies under Trump, arguing they undermine institutional integrity. Additionally, he reflects on China's rising confidence in technology while cautioning against profitless tech companies in an evolving market.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Populism Frames People Versus Elites
- Populists claim to represent 'ordinary people' against malevolent elites who control institutions.
- They ask voters to trust them to bypass institutions on the people's behalf, creating a democratic-institutional tension.
Democracy Requires Delegated Expertise
- Modern democracies rely on complex institutions and technocrats to manage specialized policy areas.
- Delegating expertise creates a lasting tension between democratic control and effective administration.
Populist Economics Boosts Now, Harms Later
- Populists often propose simplistic economic fixes like printing money, big deficits or extreme tariffs.
- Those policies can boost growth short-term but typically damage medium-to-long-run economic performance.
