{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/64edbf62a905c4001177c125?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Teutonic plague: is Germany the sick man of Europe?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1694023234309-cc4da42ab9cdc1e8a0775a04240bf0d7.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Owing to a host of deep-rooted economic and political challenges, it could be the only G7 economy to contract this year. How might it <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/08/17/is-germany-once-again-the-sick-man-of-europe?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">turn the tide</a>? More people want flashy, <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/business/2023/08/10/how-green-is-your-electric-vehicle-really?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">bigger electric vehicles</a>, but are the added environmental costs counterproductive (10:00)? And examining the decline in <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/china/2023/08/24/why-fewer-university-students-are-studying-mandarin?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mandarin</a> learning (18:18).</p><p><br></p><p>For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to <a href=\"http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}