{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/57cc3c7d-b0fd-4930-9279-4e84c75df457/6a47c93d04fac73b24bd8dc2?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"250 years of America","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a834d4d9a8af874246/1783088345082-0d61b659-6b16-4e6b-b7ba-98af4c85960c.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>America is <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/07/02/donald-trumps-reflecting-pool-debacle-is-a-gift-to-america?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=checksandbalance&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">celebrating its semiquincentennial</a>. The Founding Fathers had an idea for a system of government: three separate branches, with checks and balances so each could make sure the others didn’t overreach. As America <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/06/29/how-americans-see-their-countrys-past-present-and-future?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=checksandbalance&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">marks its big birthday</a>, how is that holding up?&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Guests and hosts:</p><ul><li>John Prideaux, executive editor and host of “Checks and Balance”</li><li>Charlotte Howard, US editor&nbsp;</li><li>James Bennet, Lexington columnist</li><li>Charles Birnbaum, president of the Cultural Landscape Foundation</li><li>Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library&nbsp;</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:</p><ul><li>The Roberts Court</li><li>The power of the executive branch</li><li>Congressional dysfunction</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a> <em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}