Economist Podcasts

Under-armed sweat: America’s “arsenal of democracy”

May 9, 2022
Anton LaGuardia, Diplomatic editor for The Economist, discusses America's substantial arms supply to Ukraine and its potential impact on future military conflicts. Sumaya Keynes, Britain economics editor, sheds light on the acute cost-of-living crisis in the UK, including firsthand accounts from a food bank. They explore the challenges of boosting arms production and the implications of inflation on vulnerable populations, while also touching on California's changing demographics and the economic strain felt across households.
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INSIGHT

Arsenal of Democracy

  • Russia and Ukraine are struggling to maintain adequate weaponry.
  • America's role as an "armory" to allied powers has historical echoes, notably President Roosevelt's stance in WWII.
INSIGHT

Modern Challenges

  • President Biden echoes Roosevelt's "arsenal of democracy" phrase regarding Ukraine.
  • Unlike the 1940s, current conditions make boosting arms production challenging.
ANECDOTE

WWII Production

  • America's industrial capacity during WWII allowed for repurposing car factories for arms production.
  • Companies like Cadillac, Chrysler, and Ford shifted to producing tanks, machine guns, and bombers.
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