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Checks and Balance from The Economist
Checks and Balance: What is critical race theory?
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The first episode of a three-part special series investigating the fight over what is taught in America’s public schools. Until recently, critical race theory (CRT) was a niche legal field encountered only by graduate students. It is now a catch-all term for whatever the right thinks is going wrong with America and a new front in the culture war alongside abortion and guns. The anti-CRT movement has become a powerful new social, legislative and political force in its own right. But what actually is critical race theory?
The Economist’s Tamara Gilkes Borr, a former public-school teacher, has spent months reporting on this issue. In this episode she speaks to Kimberlé Crenshaw, a professor at UCLA and Columbia law schools and one of the scholars who first developed critical race theory. She meets Christopher Rufo, the man who started the conservative furore over CRT. And she examines what the bans against the teaching of CRT in 17 states actually do.
You can listen to the rest of this special series in full via the Checks and Balance homepage and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod.
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284. Atomic tension: the war between Israel and Iran
49:38||Ep. 284Israel and Iran have been launching airstrikes at one another for more than a week. Now, President Donald Trump says he’ll decide in two weeks if, or how, the United States will join the war. Will the president abandon diplomacy to become one of the interventionists he’s derided for years? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.Runtime: 49.38Transcripts 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.283. Trump v California: the LA protests and the politics of immigration
50:27||Ep. 283Donald Trump escalated the tension in California when he deployed the National Guard—against Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections—amid protests against immigration raids. Trump had been facing pressure from the right for the slow pace of deportations. The protests in Los Angeles have calmed down, but they’ve spread to other cities. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.Runtime: 51:27Transcripts 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.282. The rise, fall and future of DEI in America
50:47||Ep. 282Many of the diversity, equity and inclusion programs that took off after the murder of George Floyd five years ago are ending. President Trump has called them illegal, and his Justice Department has vowed to investigate private sector companies that it deems have discriminatory DEI programs. Will the second Trump term end the era of DEI?Charlotte Howard hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon.Runtime: 50:47Transcripts 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.281. Swamp creatures: Donald Trump and crypto
52:38||Ep. 281President Donald Trump’s crypto assets may rival the value of his properties, and his financial regulators have halted investigations into crypto firms. All the while, the crypto sector is spending big money in Washington. What will President Trump’s second term mean for the exploding, shadowy crypto industry? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal.Runtime: 52.38Transcripts 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.280. Crisis management: how cities are cracking down on homelessness
50:57||Ep. 280A year after the Supreme Court permitted cities to ban public camping, local authorities are cracking down on street homelessness. At least 163 municipalities have enacted camping restrictions since the ruling. California, the epicenter of the problem in America, has seen its Democratic leaders rapidly shift their tone as the crisis worsens. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan tells us how he’s trying to fix it. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal.Runtime: 50.57Transcripts 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.279. Political schism: assessing the politics of Pope Leo XIV
49:50||Ep. 279American Catholics across the ideological spectrum are excited by the selection of an American pope. He’s made overtures to traditionally conservative Catholics by speaking Latin and he’s thrilled liberals with his earlier social media posts criticising Donald Trump's immigration policy. His beliefs may not fit squarely with one political party, but his supporters think his rule will transcend partisan politics. John Prideaux hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon.Runtime: 49.50Transcripts 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.
Nuclear clock: Could Donald Trump cut a deal with Iran?
49:36|Another round of talks between with the United States and Iran could take place this weekend. President Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 agreement that reduced sanctions for guarantees Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons. Now, he wants back in, despite the damage it could do the US-Israel relationship. And within Iran, the conditions are better than ever to seal a deal. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.Runtime: 49.36Transcripts 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.
277. Jurisdiction for some: Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship
45:28||Ep. 277The Supreme Court will later this month hear challenges to Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for certain groups of people. He signed the order on his first day in office; thus far, every court has ruled against him. Will the court, now or in the future, allow Trump to define who gets to be an American?Charlotte Howard hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon.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.
Trailer: Boss Class Season 2
02:03|Good bosses are rare. They don’t have to be. The skills of management can be learned.The Economist’s management columnist, Andrew Palmer, is here to help. The second season of Boss Class features leaders at some of the world’s best performing companies, from Levi’s to Novo Nordisk to Google. New episodes are out weekly starting May 12th. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plusIf you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.