Checks and Balance from The Economist

Whoever wins Pennsylvania will probably win the presidency: according to The Economist’s forecast model it’s the most likely tipping point state. We’ve travelled to three different areas to assess how the campaign is going, and try to read the electoral tea leaves. Who’s winning in Pennsylvania?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Over the past decade a form of wokeness arose on the illiberal left, characterised by extreme pessimism about America and its capacity to make progress. Analysis by The Economist of how influential these ideas are today finds that wokeness peaked in 2021-22 and has since receded. Why is America becoming less “woke”? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Ainslie Johnstone and Sacha Nauta, and Professor Musa al-Gharbi of Stony Brook University.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Republicans are already preparing to contest the result if Kamala Harris wins the presidency. American elections demand patience and trust, but with Donald Trump on the ballot those are in short supply. How ugly could this election get? And what will happen if the result is contested?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan and Congressman Jamie Raskin. This episode uses audio from The Laska Archive titled “Kentucky representative Thurston Ballard Morton on investigation election fraud 08 0011”.Runtime: 48 minTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

On Tuesday night in Philadelphia Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took part in what might be the only debate between them in this campaign. The race is extremely close: will the debate make any difference? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s James Bennet, Lane Greene and Owen Winter. This episode draws on audio from CBS and C-Span.  Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.

The outcome of November’s election matters beyond America’s borders. With conflicts raging in Europe and the Middle East and China on the rise, come next January either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will have a stacked foreign policy in-tray. How would their approaches differ?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by former national security adviser H.R. McMaster, and former US ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcast

Immigration has been one of the Democrats’ weakest issues. Now, Kamala Harris is trying to go on the offensive and attack Republicans over border security. Will the political pivot work? And Donald Trump has promised mass deportations if he's elected. Is that even possible? How seriously should that pledge be taken?John Prideaux hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon. Lanae Erickson of centre-left think tank Third Way, and The Economist’s Aryn Braun also contribute.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Jubilant Democrats gathered in Chicago this week to anoint Kamala Harris as their nominee. But amid the pageantry and praise, what do we know about the policies Kamala Harris would pursue in the Oval Office? And how much will that matter in this election? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Bharat Ramamurti, former deputy director of the National Economic Council, and The Economist’s James Bennet.Runtime: 53 minsTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

One of the few things Republicans and Democrats agree on is a desire to help America’s “left-behind”. This group was particularly hit by the industrial decline of the second half of the twentieth century and globalisation. But now they’re doing better than they have in years, despite manufacturing jobs still disappearing. Why is this? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Callum Williams, and Mark Muro from Brookings. Runtime: 50 minTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

With suburban voters playing a crucial role in past American elections, attention has turned to how they will influence the 2024 presidential race. These swing voters helped elect Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. What impact will suburban America have on the contest this time around?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Daniella Raz and Stevie Hertz.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.