Checks and Balance from The Economist

The Economist’s new election forecast says Donald Trump is slightly favoured to beat Joe Biden. The race is a rematch, with voters knowing more about the candidates than in any election in generations. But after slip-ups in recent years, how reliable are the polls? With five months to go, what can we say with confidence about the likely outcome of the election?John Prideaux hosts with Jon Fasman and Adam O’Neal. The Economist’s Dan Rosenheck and Owen Winter also contribute.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.

In four of the past six presidential elections, Wisconsin has been won by a single percentage point. As Donald Trump's lead in the Sunbelt widens, Wisconsin's importance for Joe Biden has grown. What does the Badger State tell us about the forces that will decide this election in Wisconsin, and other swing states?Charlotte Howard hosts with Jon Fasman and Idrees Kahloon. Charles Franklin of Marquette University Law School and The Economist’s Daniella Raz also contribute.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights—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.

Narendra Modi is one of the most popular politicians on the planet. India’s prime minister is eyeing a third term atop the world’s biggest democracy. A tea-seller’s son, Mr Modi began life an outsider and the man behind the political phenomenon remains hard to fathom. India has become an economic powerhouse during his ten years in charge. But he’s also the frontman for a chauvinistic Hindu nationalist dogma. Can Mr Modi continue to balance both parts of his agenda and finish the job of turning India into a superpower? The Economist’s Avantika Chilkoti finds out what makes him tick. Launching June 2024.To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.If 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.

In 2022 the Supreme Court gave control of abortion back to “the people and their elected representatives.” This November will be the greatest test yet of what that means. Democrats are running hard on the issue and as many as 16 states will vote directly on abortion. A grassroots movement has sprung up to defend reproductive rights. Will this fight decide the election? And what will the results mean for women’s ability to have an abortion? Charlotte Howard hosts with Sacha Nauta and Idrees Kahloon. Mary Ziegler of the University of California, Davis, and The Economist’s Stevie Hertz and Daniella Raz also contribute. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights for 50% off—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.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are campaigning against a global backdrop of rising authoritarianism. Each candidate has accused the other of trying to destroy American democracy. But what are the constraints on the presidency, whoever holds the office? This week we consider whether the checks and balances the founding fathers put in place are still fit for purpose. Could a president tilt the country toward dictatorship?Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice and The Economist’s John Prideaux also contribute. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsGet a world of insights for 50% off—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.

America's national debt now exceeds $34 trillion. The budget deficit–inflated by having to pay interest on all that debt–has averaged 9% of GDP over the past five years. Does that spending threaten America’s economy? And why do so few politicians seem to care?Charlotte Howard hosts with Adam O’Neal and Idrees Kahloon. Doug Elmendorf, the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, and The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch also contribute.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.

Student protests and encampments have mushroomed across America. Some students fear for their safety and more than 2,000 people have been arrested, as police in riot gear clear campuses. What do these protests mean for free speech, and what impact will they have on November’s election? Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. The Economist’s Daniella Raz and John Prideaux also contribute.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.

For months, a big foreign-aid deal looked like it was going nowhere in the House of Representatives. Now $95bn of support is heading out the door. How did the bill get through? What does it mean for Ukraine and for American leadership in the world?Charlotte Howard hosts with James Bennet and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by The Economist’s Adam O’Neal and Anton La Guardia. 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.