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Forward Thinking

Forward Thinking on the existential issues facing the middle classes in every country with Homi Kharas

Oct 11, 2023
41:21
Snipd AI
Homi Kharas, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, discusses the changing character of the world's middle class and its impact on shaping the world. He also explores the implications of becoming middle class, the role of the middle class in climate change, and the potential effects of AI on this socio-economic group.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The expansion of the middle class globally is driven by technology, politics, and globalization, with technology creating a demand for a healthy and educated population and politics supporting and benefiting the middle class.
  • The middle class shapes our world not only through politics but also through its influence on the business sector, media, and government, pushing for corporate sustainability, elevating issues through viral trends, and driving collective action on global challenges.

Deep dives

The Growth of the Global Middle Class: A Result of Technology and Politics

The expansion of the middle class globally has been driven by technology and politics. Technological advancements, such as those seen during the Industrial Revolution, created a demand for a healthy and educated population, resulting in a rise in wages and the emergence of the middle class. Politics, including democratization and labor unions, have also played a role in supporting and benefiting the middle class. Additionally, globalization has accelerated the speed of middle class expansion, with large countries in East Asia and South Asia driving the growth.

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