logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
20m 10s

A few bright spots: our country of the y...

The Economist
About this episode

Each year The Economist selects its country of the year: a place that has improved the most. Improvement, though, was damnably rare in 2021. We run through our nominations and the shortlist, and take a close look at why the winner won. And we examine what has gone on in South and South-East Asia, which offered no contenders whatsoever.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Chill baby chill: Modi-Trump relations dip
Yesterday Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports to America, among the highest in the world. How will Narendra Modi respond? Why Palantir could be the most overvalued firm of all time. And film, vinyl and print media make a comeback.Listen to what matters most, from ... Show More
21m 43s
Yesterday
Fed alert: can Trump fire a governor?
What does Donald Trump’s attempt to sack Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve governor, mean for the institution’s independence? Uruguay may soon legalise assisted dying. And why shooting clubs – and other community associations – are thriving in Germany. Listen to what matters most, fro ... Show More
23m 28s
Aug 26
Grand theft global: the business of street crime
Car and phone theft were once the preserve of petty crooks in London. Now they underpin a vast and spreading international criminal network. Why you should consider consulting a new oracle for making big life decisions: an economist. And the cult of the private chef.Listen to wha ... Show More
19m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
A few bright spots: our country of the year
Each year The Economist selects its country of the year: a place that has improved the most. Improvement, though, was damnably rare in 2021. We run through our nominations and the shortlist, and take a close look at why the winner won. And we examine what has gone on in South and ... Show More
20m 10s
Dec 2022
Best-of three: our country, books and games of the year
It is that best-of time of year. We outline the case for our country of the year, after an uncharacteristically easy nomination process. Our correspondents explain their picks for the best books of 2022. And the shortlist of the year’s best games: there are cats, Norse gods and t ... Show More
21m 2s
Dec 2023
The Intelligence: who wins The Economist’s country of the year?
Which country improved the most this year? Nominations poured in from across the editorial department, and the competition was tough, but who came out on top? And our correspondent takes us on a train ride through Europe Sign up for a free trial of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re ... Show More
26m 42s
Feb 2021
Ballot bonanza: Latin America’s year of elections
Ecuador’s elections on Sunday kick off a packed year of polls in the region. Democracy’s foothold in South America looks assured; in Central America, less so. Engineers are vastly improving the core technologies in televisions. We preview the viewing pleasure to come. And remembe ... Show More
21m 1s
Dec 2022
Checks and Balance: Broad stripes, bright stars
Less than a fifth of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country. Poverty rates are rising and life expectancy is falling.  A majority think the economy is getting worse and that the world sees America unfavourably.  But amid the bleak metrics, there have ... Show More
44m 34s
Feb 2024
The Intelligence: A former general, elected in Indonesia
Prabowo Subianto stormed to victory in the world’s largest single-day election. But critics say his presidency could jeopardise two decades of democratic progress. Nvidia has dominated the global market for AI accelerator chips for years. Could a company about a third of its size ... Show More
26m 45s
Jan 2024
The Intelligence: Indonesia’s election, more TikTok than tick-box
Campaigning for a coming election in the world’s fourth-most-populous country has been almost entirely policy-free: a good social-media presence is nearly all candidates need. As the Panama Canal dries out, neighbouring countries spy an opportunity—but how much of that trade can ... Show More
20m 59s
Feb 2024
The Intelligence: Vietnam’s golden opportunity
The populous South-East Asian country is uniquely well-positioned to benefit from the deepening rift between America and China, so what’s stopping it? How a breakaway party on Germany’s far left is appealing to voters in the east (08:13). And, why VAR is frustrating football fans ... Show More
23m 5s
Jan 2024
The Intelligence: 2024 is a big year for democracy
Citizens across more than 70 countries will be heading to the polls over the next twelve months. It’s a record year for voting, but how democratic will the processes be? One of the year’s most significant elections will take place in Mexico, where the incumbent president, Andrés ... Show More
23m 38s
Oct 2023
Editor’s Picks: October 23rd 2023
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, why only America can save Israel and Gaza from a greater catastrophe. Also, the recent election in Poland offers a lesson in how to push back on populism (10:30) and the resurgen ... Show More
22m 12s