"Demographic Winter" occurs when a nation's population growth is so bottlenecked that its labor is unable to sustain the economy in basics like tax revenue, health care services--and food. Much of the developed world, with laggardly birthrates, is poised to tumble off that demographic cliff. Ken Gronbach is an internationally lauded demographer. Analyzi ... Show More
Jul 10
The Two Times We Invaded Canada
Ever wonder why Canada didn’t become the 14th colony during the American War of Independence? It turns out, America invited Canada to join. Then, when they turned down the invitation, invaded. Then again in 1812. In this episode we return to States that Weren’t: Canada. Plus, how ... Show More
31m 44s
Jul 2
Populist Hillbillies vs. Fake Lordlings: The Almost-States of Franklin, Nickajack, and Transylvania
America is littered with lots of almost-states, which very nearly joined the Union in their own right, but for some reason did not. In today’s episode we cover Vandalia, Transylvania, Westylvania, Franklin, and Nickajack. By investigating these almost-states, we delve into consti ... Show More
1h 9m
Jun 27
Government Grocery Stores and Free Bussing! (WSPN)
This week New York City Democrats held their primary for mayor, and nominated Zohran Kwame Mamdani. Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist who promises to implement free bussing, a $30 per hour minimum wage, universal childcare, and a government-run grocery store program. Hosts of the ... Show More
1h 26m
Feb 2023
How to adapt for an ageing world, with Vegard Skirbekk
Following the Japanese prime minister Kishida Fumio's recent warning that his country's demographic crisis was approaching a tipping point, Katie Stallard speaks to Vegard Skirbekk, a population economist at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and author of Decline and Prosp ... Show More
20m 44s
Jun 2022
He predicted globalization’s failure, now he’s planning what’s next
For more than a quarter century, economist and Harvard Kennedy School professor Dani Rodrik has been ringing alarm bells about the dangers of globalization. And for a long time, it didn’t seem like a whole lot of people were listening. Now as record economic inequality, a climate ... Show More
38m 19s
Dec 2022
Humanity at Eight Billion
At eight billion people, humanity has reached a major demographic milestone. Yet with a growing population, questions arise over whether nations can keep up. While developed Western countries struggle to take care of aging populations and low birth rates, many developing countrie ... Show More
35m 17s
May 2020
What will the post-pandemic economy look like? – Australian politics live podcast
After taking a break, Katharine Murphy is back to speak with Labor’s shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, about the post-coronavirus economy. They discuss the nation’s level of debt and the possible long-term changes to Australia’s welfare system. Will a universal basic income be intr ... Show More
33m 49s
Jul 2023
Jeunesse et croissance démographique en Afrique: entre l’excitation et l’angoisse, la voie de la lucidité
Suite de cette série sur les questions démographiques dans le monde et en Afrique. Selon Gilles Yabi, la taille de la population d’un pays, ça compte pour avoir de l’influence. Un pays, même à faible ou très faible revenu, mais avec 200 ou 300 millions d’habitants, ne peut être i ... Show More
4m 14s