Share
Checks and Balance from The Economist
Checks and Balance: What is critical race theory?
•
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.
More episodes
View all episodes
Is this the end of the Trump era?
45:17|Democrats had an outstandingly good midterms. For a decade now Donald Trump has been the dominant force in American politics: has that come to an end? And where do both parties go from here? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefTopics covered:The midterms resultsTrump’s lame-duck presidencyWhat Democrats will do with powerYou can find a filmed version of this episode at economist.com/insider, or click the video tab on The Economist appTranscripts 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 midterms preview
51:31|There’s only a few days to go. Will discontent with Donald Trump bring Democrats victory in the midterm elections? We look at the races and voters that will decide power in Washington, and consider why these midterms matter. Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefDan Rosenheck, data editorOwen Winter, data journalist Topics covered:The races that will decide control in WashingtonClosing arguments from both sidesSwing voters 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+
How could Donald Trump interfere with the midterms?
48:49|January 6th showed how far Donald Trump might go to subvert election results. How could the midterms be disrupted before election day, on the day itself, and in the aftermath? And what’s the likelihood of those attempts succeeding?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefKennett Werner, Washington correspondentNorm Eisen, co-founder of Democracy Defenders FundNed Foley, director of election law at Ohio State UniversityTopics covered:Election interference ICE agents at pollsThe process for seating the HouseListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+
The data centre backlash
42:12|Across America, data centres are popping up at startling speed. Voters aren’t happy. Why have data centres become a political bogeyman? And what does this reveal about wider public anxiety over AI? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefArchie Hall, acting economics editorTopics covered:Data centres in OhioHow politicians are approaching the topicPublic anxiety about AITranscripts 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 Christian vote
45:20|There’s been a shift in how both parties talk and think about Christianity. What do Republicans and Democrats have to offer Christian voters? And how could it affect the midterms? Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistDaniel Knowles, Midwest correspondentRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Topics covered:The Kansas Senate raceThe history of the religious rightRepublicans and Christianity todayTranscripts 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+
Donald Trump is trying to reshape the media
45:23|Last week the president banned three media outlets from the White House. It is just one of a number of skirmishes between this president and what he calls the “fake news” media. The relationship between the press and the presidency is inherently fractious, but just how alarming are the fights under this administration? Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefDavid Rennie, geopolitics editorHenry Tricks, US media and technology editorTopics covered:The White House press corpsThe history of reporting on presidentsWider threats to press freedomTranscripts 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+
How voters feel about Donald Trump’s policies
48:12|This week, a tour of three states and three policy areas from Donald Trump’s second term. How will the actions taken by this administration influence the way people vote in November?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorCharlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentStevie Hertz, US policy correspondentAlex Domash, economics correspondentTopics covered:DOGE cuts in AlaskaTariffs and MaineHealthcare policy in Ohio 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 The Economist.
Will America’s politicians do something about AI?
51:38|Fears over the safety of AI are growing. Those close to the technology are warning that the current pace of development could mean the accidental extinction of humanity. Political momentum for tighter controls is gathering, but Donald Trump appears unmoved. What chance is there of a meaningful regulatory response?Guests and hosts:Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefAlex Hern, AI writerCorbin Duncan, global correspondentTopics covered:The latest news on AI safetyHow to think about future riskPotential legislation on AITranscripts 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+
Why Republicans might lose the midterms
47:48|It’s common for a president’s party to do badly in midterm elections. But redistricting and a favourable Senate map should have given the Republicans an advantage this cycle. Instead they’re very likely to lose the House and may cede control in the Senate. How much is Donald Trump to blame?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistDan Rosenheck, data editorKennett Werner, Washington correspondentTopics covered:The Economist’s prediction modelThe Republicans’ midterm conventionDonald Trump’s hold on his partyTranscripts 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+