FT News Briefing

Martin Wolf on democracy’s year of peril

Jun 30, 2024

Jonathan Derbyshire, executive opinion editor at Financial Times, interviews renowned economist Martin Wolf. They discuss the alarming threats posed by autocrats to liberal democracies worldwide, with over 50 nations facing elections this year. Martin shares insights from conversations with notable figures like Robert Kagan and Fiona Hill, exploring the rise of populism and far-right parties. They examine the historical roots of political upheaval, the intricate ties between economics and nationalism, and the pressing need for vigilance in protecting democratic institutions.

35:57

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Episode guests

Jonathan Derbyshire

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Quick takeaways

Growing support for populist parties poses a threat to liberal democracies globally.

Economic shifts contribute to the rise of identity politics and challenges to democratic norms.

Deep dives

Overview of the Outlook for Democracy Series

The podcast episode delves into the outlook for democracy, exploring the challenges and developments facing liberal democracies during crucial election years. Martin Wolf leads a series examining the state of democracy globally, highlighting surprise elections in the UK and France, as well as outcomes in countries like India, South Africa, and Mexico. Key insights include the evolving nature of democratic peril and the significant impact of elections on the democratic landscape.

Building Ideological Loyalty Among Poor Whites

00:47

Authoritarian Instincts and Republics

00:49

Potential Nullification Crises in Close Elections

00:34

Intro

4min

Threats to Democracy: A Global Perspective

17min

The Historical Roots of Trumpism: A Battle Between Liberalism and Anti-Liberalism

6min

The Nexus of Economics and National Populism

6min

Concerns of Political Upheaval and Global Consequences

4min

Martin Wolf is worried about the threat autocrats pose to liberal democracies. Across the world, billions of citizens are being asked to cast their vote in elections taking place in more than 50 countries, but in many places, populist, illiberal and far-right parties are either growing in support or consolidating gains they have already made. In this episode, Martin spells out his concerns to the FT’s executive opinion editor, Jonathan Derbyshire, and they discuss what Martin has gleaned from his conversations with Robert Kagan, Fiona Hill, Anne Applebaum and Raghuram Rajan. Did they ease his concerns in any way?

Links:

Martin Wolf column: Fascism has changed, but it is not dead

For Martin’s other FT columns click here

This episode is presented by Martin Wolf. The producer is Sandra Kanthal. Production help from Sonja Hutson. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa and the sound engineer is Nigel Appleton. The FT's global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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FT News Briefing

Martin Wolf on democracy’s year of peril

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Overview of the Outlook for Democracy Series

Impact of Elections in India and Mexico

Threats to Liberal Democracy in the US

Economic Factors and Political Ideologies

Building Ideological Loyalty Among Poor Whites

Authoritarian Instincts and Republics

Potential Nullification Crises in Close Elections

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts