Latest Interviews
Showing 151–158 of 158 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist35 min
Steve Bannon debate at The Economist #OpenFutures festival
Steve Bannon, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Julissa Arce, Daniel Franklin
Steve Bannon articulates a strategy of economic nationalism that prioritizes immigration restrictions and trade protectionism to reclaim American jobs, while defending European populist leaders like Viktor Orbán and Matteo Salvini as legitimate defenders of national sovereignty. He characterizes China as a totalitarian rival in an economic war and frames the Paris Climate Agreement as a geopolitical failure, arguing instead that the true threat to the working class lies in the convergence of automation and genetic engineering. This worldview drives a broader mission to deconstruct the administrative state and appoint conservative judges who can dismantle regulatory overreach, positioning Donald Trump as the essential vehicle to break the "medieval theology" of free trade.
- The Economist25 min
Tony Blair on the future of liberalism
Marking the 175th anniversary of *The Economist* and the 21st anniversary of New Labour, former Prime Minister Tony Blair reflects on the 1998, 2003, and 2004 policy decisions that contributed to modern societal fractures while outlining a renewal strategy for liberalism. Blair proposes addressing root causes of polarization through strict immigration controls without prejudice, a proactive technological policy agenda, and a return to positive-sum economic growth to counter the rise of populism. Urging the restoration of a rational political center, he suggests resolving the Brexit impasse via a second referendum and warns that without a centrist platform, the UK risks perpetual political paralysis between the extremes.
- The Economist8 min
Women and the Saudi revolution
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Noor Shabib, Hoda al-Halaissi
Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is executing a rapid top-down modernization strategy that lifts social restrictions like the ban on women driving while simultaneously centralizing political power and suppressing dissent. Although these reforms aim to diversify the oil-dependent economy by integrating the majority-female university graduate workforce, they face significant risks from religious puritans, rival royals, and a volatile youth population whose aspirations remain unmet by the regime's refusal to democratize. The success of this delicate balancing act is critical, as a stable, moderate Saudi Arabia could significantly enhance regional security and offer a counter-narrative to extremist interpretations of Islam globally.
- The Economist38 min
James Comey on emails, the "American giant" and the end of Donald Trump
James Comey, Donald Trump, Anne McElvoy
Former FBI Director James Comey articulates his judgment that President Trump is morally unfit for office while asserting the FBI remains a rock-solid, unpoliticized institution despite intense scrutiny. He reflects on the contentious October 28 decision regarding the Clinton email investigation and expresses skepticism about the North Korean denuclearization deal, maintaining high confidence that the Mueller probe will uncover criminal facts regardless of political fallout. Looking ahead to his public policy course at the College of William & Mary, Comey emphasizes that ethical leadership is defined by rigorous truth-seeking processes rather than outcomes, arguing that American democratic values may ultimately strengthen through a necessary national reassessment.
- The Economist8 min
Putin's games with the West
Former chess grandmaster and exiled activist Garry Kasparov analyzes Vladimir Putin's geopolitical strategy as a deceptive game of poker rather than transparent chess, detailing how Western inaction during conflicts in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria has repeatedly emboldened the Russian leader. Kasparov critiques the failure of past engagement policies and argues that the West must now shift toward a rigorous strategy of isolation and deterrence to impose long-term strategic losses on Russia. He proposes concrete countermeasures including economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and asset seizures to counter Putin's use of blackmail and secrecy.
- The Economist7 min
Bassem Youssef: Why we should laugh at leaders
Former heart surgeon Dr. Bassem Youssef transformed Egyptian media by launching the satirical program *Al-Bernameg*, which reached 30 million viewers and critiqued the hypocrisy of the state during the Arab Spring. As the political landscape shifted from the ousting of Hosni Mubarak to the military coup led by General Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi, Youssef faced escalating state censorship, including broadcast jamming and arrests, which ultimately forced his show off the air in 2014. Now established in the United States, Youssef's legacy endures as a catalyst for breaking decades of silence on political discourse in Egypt, with his work demonstrating the inherent link between satire and genuine freedom of expression.
- The Economist39 min
The Impact Investing Summit
Matthew Bishop, Lisa Ashford, Mark Campanale, Mark Goldring, Lutfey Siddiqi, Matthew Spencer, Tristram Stewart, Rod Schwartz, Arthur Wood, Mel Tam
In an Oxford-style debate regarding the primary agent for climate action, Lisa Ashford and Mark Campanali argued that investors and bankers can bypass political inertia to drive rapid decarbonization, while Matthew Spencer and colleagues contended that social movements and government policy are essential to establish the regulatory frameworks that make green investment viable. Despite pro-market arguments citing market failures and capital efficiency, the opposition team successfully countered by highlighting historical precedents where moral pressure and state intervention preceded financial shifts. Ultimately, the side opposing the motion won by persuading the audience to view political and social activism as the necessary "generals" that guide the "cavalry" of private capital.
- The Economist7 min
The Agenda: Minouche Shafik discusses education and inequality
Drawing on personal experience from post-revolution Egypt and global economic trends, the speaker argues that nationalization and rigid educational systems have eroded social mobility while lifelong learning gaps disproportionately favor the wealthy. The presentation critiques the failure of traditional models, including German vocational training, to prepare workers for careers that may shift two to five times, a disconnect that fuels public backlash against elitist experts. Consequently, the argument posits that policy reform depends on replacing jargon with accessible communication to bridge the divide between economic realities and public perception.