Economist Podcasts Uprising tide: the coming inflation-driven unrest
Jun 29, 2022
Robert Guest, Foreign editor at The Economist, delves into the brewing storm of global inflation and its potential to ignite unrest. He highlights dire cases of civil discontent in countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, revealing how economic grievances fuel protests. The conversation shifts to Tunisia and Turkey, where rising costs devastate living standards, linking historical data to recent social upheaval. Additionally, he uncovers surprising insights into China's espionage failures and the unique lifeguard recruitment crisis in America.
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Meher's Anger in Tunisia
- In Tunisia, Meher struggles with inflation, impacting his ability to afford a house and get married.
- Constantly angry, he represents the frustration of many young Tunisians facing similar economic hardships.
Economic Hardship in Turkey
- In Turkey, a housewife's husband's pension is eroded by inflation, forcing him back to work.
- Cilhan Dohan, working day and night at an Istanbul market stall, sees changing the government as the only solution to rising prices.
Government Policies and Public Anger
- President Erdogan's unorthodox policy of lowering interest rates exacerbates inflation in Turkey.
- While global factors contribute, people often blame their own governments for rising prices, making unrest more likely.