The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts
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Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2020 • 22min
We’ll again have Paris: Biden’s ambitious climate plans
Katrine Brahek, The Economist's environment editor, discusses President Biden's ambitious climate agenda and the challenges he faces in a divided Congress. She emphasizes the need for global cooperation to tackle climate change and highlights shifting public perceptions. Tim Cross, the technology editor, explores the booming video game industry, focusing on the competition between Sony and Microsoft and the rise of console-free gaming through streaming. Together, they provide gripping insights into the intersections of climate policy and tech advancements.
Nov 10, 2020 • 20min
Nine out of ten, doctors say: a promising coronavirus vaccine
Natasha Loder, health policy editor at the Economist, discusses a promising coronavirus vaccine with a 90% efficacy rate, while addressing the regulatory and distribution hurdles ahead. Kinley Salmon, Africa correspondent, dives into the recent tumultuous elections across Guinea, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast, exploring how strongmen manipulate democracy to cling to power. They also touch on India's complicated relationship with cannabis, highlighting the clash between moral campaigns and cultural acceptance.
Nov 9, 2020 • 23min
Brought to heal: Biden’s chance to unite America
Zannie Minton-Beddoes, Editor-in-chief of The Economist, lends her expertise on the monumental task facing President-elect Biden in uniting a deeply divided nation. She discusses the enduring legacy of Trumpism and the pressing need for healing as Biden steps into office. The conversation also highlights Denmark's controversial decision regarding a mutated coronavirus strain in mink and the revival of traditional trot music in South Korea, challenging the dominance of K-pop.
Nov 6, 2020 • 22min
Abiy damned: Ethiopia’s looming civil war
David Rennie, The Economist's Beijing bureau chief, sheds light on Ethiopia's precarious situation as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed escalates military actions against the TPLF, risking broader regional instability. He also discusses China's ambitious drive for self-sufficiency in poultry, confronting the paradox of relying on imported 'super chickens' while striving for independence. Additionally, listeners are intrigued by a chilling narrative about books bound in human skin, blending historical curiosity with ethical considerations.
Nov 5, 2020 • 20min
The lawyers of diminishing returns: America’s election
Stephen Mazey, Supreme Court correspondent, breaks down the legal battles surrounding election outcomes, drawing parallels with past contests. Avantika Chulcotti highlights the pandemic's unexpected effects on global birth rates, revealing a stark divide between wealthier and poorer nations. As many affluent women delay family planning amid uncertainty, less developed regions see a surge in unplanned pregnancies. They also touch on how the evolving landscape of remote work and business travel is reshaping the hospitality industry.
Nov 4, 2020 • 22min
Tally forth: America’s elections
The podcast dives into the rollercoaster of vote counting in the U.S. elections, where results remain uncertain. It captures the anxiety of election night, with candidates declaring victory and contesting results. The discussion unveils the impact of record voter turnout and deep national divisions. Listeners are taken through polling place atmospheres and historical tensions, while live updates showcase the fluctuating predictions and the suspense felt by supporters. Overall, it reflects on the complexities and strains of the democratic process.
Nov 3, 2020 • 22min
Poles’ position: an abortion-law backlash
John Fasman, Washington correspondent for The Economist, shares his insights on the tense backdrop of the upcoming U.S. elections. He discusses the massive protests in Poland against new abortion laws, revealing a significant disconnect between public sentiment and the ruling party. The conversation highlights uncertainty in America as mail-in ballots complicate election results. Additionally, Fasman takes a fascinating look at the historical significance of films viewed in the White House, showcasing how cinema reflects presidential ideologies.
Nov 2, 2020 • 21min
Lock step: England to shut down, again
Matthew Holhouse, a political correspondent for The Economist, and Charlie McCann, a Southeast Asia specialist, delve into England's sudden pivot to lockdown amidst rising COVID-19 cases, exploring the political ramifications of this decision. They also spotlight the perilous landscape of Myanmar's elections, dominated by disinformation spread through social media, particularly Facebook. Finally, they discuss the intriguing trend of rising interest in political biographies, showing a significant shift from celebrity memoirs in today's reading culture.
Oct 30, 2020 • 21min
Net losses: plunder of the oceans
Dominic Ziegler, an expert on illegal fishing, and Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief, dive into pressing global issues. They highlight the shocking scale of illegal fishing and its devastating effects on workers and ecosystems. The discussion also touches on the rise of millennial investors reshaping finance with their focus on corporate responsibility. Additionally, they humorously recount the saga of Berlin's new airport, a project marred by years of mismanagement that finally opens with a mix of optimism and challenges.
Oct 29, 2020 • 22min
What Xi said: China’s five-year plan
Simon Rabinovich, Asia economics editor based in Shanghai, discusses China's ambitious five-year plan and its implications for Xi Jinping's future leadership. Avantika Chulcotti, international correspondent, explores how the pandemic has reshaped discussions around mortality, highlighting trends like forest burials and death cafes. Charlie McCann, Southeast Asia correspondent, sheds light on the pressures faced by Singapore's hawker culture as young chefs battle to keep their culinary heritage alive amid modern challenges.
