Martin Wolf on the World

As Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections, the FT’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf asks what the result will mean for Donald Trump, the future of US democracy and America's place in the world. In the third of a six-part series, Martin speaks to political scientist and author Barbara F Walter, an expert on civil wars and political violence, about the risk of unrest surrounding the elections. Drawing on her research into countries around the world, Walter explains the warning signs of political violence, and why America's changing demographics and the struggle to hold on to political power are fuelling divisions. How close is the US to a dangerous tipping point? And can American democracy emerge from the midterms stronger rather than more divided?To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to ‘Martin Wolf on the World’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Martin’s podcast series on the FT’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialTimesHost: Martin WolfProducer: Mischa Frankl-DuvalSenior producers: Laurence Knight and Edwin LaneExecutive producer: Manuela SaragosaVideo editor: Richard ToppingSenior Audio Engineer: Breen TurnerBroadcast engineers: Andrew GeorgiadesPodcast development: Laura ClarkeFT Global Head of Audio: Flo PhillipsLearn more at www.ft.com/martin-wolf-on-the-worldRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

As Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf asks what the result will mean for Donald Trump, the future of US democracy and America's place in the world. In the second of a six-part series of interviews with leading historians and political analysts, Martin speaks to Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Anne Applebaum about the global stakes of November’s elections. They discuss the parallels between Trump’s America and other authoritarian regimes and what the US’s changing role means for Europe and Ukraine. Even if Trump suffers a political setback, can the US ever regain the trust of its allies?To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to ‘Martin Wolf on the World’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch Martin’s podcast series on the FT’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialTimesHost: Martin WolfProducer: Mischa Frankl-DuvalSenior producer: Laurence KnightExecutive producer: Manuela SaragosaVideo editor: Claire JustinAudio engineering: Breen TurnerBroadcast engineers: Andrew GeorgiadesPodcast development: Laura ClarkeFT global head of audio: Flo Phillips Learn more at www.ft.com/martin-wolf-on-the-world

As Americans prepare to vote in the November 3 midterm elections, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf asks what the result will mean for Donald Trump, the future of US democracy and America's place in the world. In the first of a six-part series of interviews with leading historians and political analysts, Martin speaks to the scholar and former Republican adviser Robert Kagan, who has spent a decade warning about Trump's authoritarian ambitions. They discuss how Trump has accumulated so much power, whether America's democratic institutions can still constrain him, and what might happen if Republicans lose control of Congress. Could these elections mark a turning point for American democracy or has the country already gone too far down the road towards authoritarianism?Watch the full episode now on the FT’s main YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinancialTimesHost: Martin WolfProducer: Mischa Frankl-DuvalSenior Producer: Laurence KnightExecutive Producer: Manuela SaragosaVideo Editor: Richard ToppingAudio engineering: Breen TurnerBroadcast engineers: Andrew GeorgiadisPodcast development: Laura ClarkeFT Global Head of Audio: Flo PhillipsRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

In this final episode of their series for The Economics Show, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman consider listeners’ questions and comments ranging from a critique of globalisation, increasing inequality and plutocracy, the global appetite for US federal debt, China’s economic future and much more.Read Martin’s column here Subscribe to Paul’s substack hereFind Paul’s cultural coda here.Find Martin’s cultural coda here.Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Tom Hannen is the video editor. Sound design and original music by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The US last week released its new national security strategy – and it wasn’t good news for Europe. The document, which sets out US foreign policy priorities, blasted Europe for undermining “political liberty and sovereignty”, de-emphasised the threat from Russia, reframed America’s competition with China and put influence over the western hemisphere at the top of the US agenda. In this episode, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman discuss what the impact of this new US strategy may be. How should Europe react to this sharp turn from its strongest historical ally? And is Trump handing China the world on a silver platter?Read Martin’s column here Subscribe to Paul’s Substack hereFind Paul’s cultural coda here.Find Martin’s cultural coda here.Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Tom Hannen is the video editor. Sound design by Breen Turner. Original music by Breen Turner.The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: America vs the world videoRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Donald Trump promised to bring industrial jobs back to America when he swept to victory in last year’s presidential election, powered by a 12-point lead among male voters, but can he really deliver? In the second of this four-part series, the FT’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman discuss the economic plight of American men - why their problems are real, but Maga’s proposed solutions are not. Plus, they consider the policy platform of another populist, the newly elected mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and whether his affordability agenda can translate into a nationwide policy for the Democrats.Read Martin’s column here Subscribe to Paul’s substack hereFind Paul’s cultural coda hereFind Martin’s cultural coda hereProduced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Sound design by Sam Giovinco and Breen Turner. Original music by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

As President Donald Trump approaches the one-year anniversary of his second term in office, the FT’s chief economics commentator Martin Wolf, and Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman sit down to discuss the US economy and the state of American democracy. Are American consumers finally feeling the effect of Trump’s tariffs? Is AI to blame for the frozen labour market? Or is the spectre of a weakening democracy and plutocracy to blame for slumping consumer sentiment? In the first of four weekly episodes, Wolf and Krugman unpick the US and world economy, with Krugman explaining why he’s less pessimistic now than he was earlier this year.Read Martin’s column here.Subscribe to Paul’s Substack here.Find Paul’s cultural coda here.Find Martin’s cultural coda here.Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound design by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

In the sixth of this six-part series of The Economics Show, Martin Wolf, the FT’s chief economics commentator, and Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman tackle a selection of questions, and even some criticisms, sent in by their audience. Listen to Paul Krugman’s cultural coda, Carole King’s It's too late, here Listen to Martin Wolf’s cultural coda, Va Pensiero from Verdi’s Nabucco, hereRead Martin’s FT column hereSubscribe to Paul’s substack hereThe Wolf-Krugman Exchange was produced by Sandra Kanthal and Mischa Frankl-Duval, and the broadcast engineer was Andrew Georgiades. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Manuela Saragosa is the FT’s acting co-head of audio.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com