logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
25m 45s

The Intelligence: The power of positive ...

The Economist
About this episode

The Bank of Japan has ended its grand experiment in unconventional monetary policy—how did it work, and what happens now that it has concluded? Ahead of Florida’s presidential primary our correspondent pays a visit, examining the state’s hard swing to the right (10:17). And the next in our Economist Reads series: why God seems to care so much about sex (19:09).


Please take a moment to respond to our listener survey.


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.


Podcast transcripts are available upon request at podcasts@economist.com. We are committed to improving accessibility even further and are exploring new ways to expand our podcast-transcript offering.


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

Up next
Today
Emission creep: a contentious COP closes
<p>It is telling and troubling that the annual climate talking-shop’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2025/11/22/cop30-ends-with-a-whimper?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownote ... Show More
25m 51s
Nov 21
Flee country: Britain seeks to slash migration
<p>Britain’s home secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed a big shift in <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/11/20/will-britain-copy-asylum-policy-from-a-place-with-poor-integration?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discov ... Show More
23m 22s
Nov 20
War graft: scandal engulfs Ukraine
<p>Pentagon officials are meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss a <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/11/19/a-terrible-american-russian-proposal-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_con ... Show More
25m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
The Intelligence: The power of positive tinkering
<p>The Bank of Japan has ended its grand experiment in unconventional monetary policy—how did it work, and what happens now that it has concluded? Ahead of Florida’s presidential primary our correspondent pays a visit, examining the state’s hard swing <a href="https://www.economi ... Show More
25m 45s
Mar 2024
The Intelligence: Fed reckoning
<p>America’s central bank left rates untouched, to widespread market delight. Why is this economic cycle confounding expectations so much, and how to bring it to a <a href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/03/20/why-america-cant-escape-inflation-worries?utm_ca ... Show More
21m 28s
Apr 2024
The Intelligence: Naan inflationary growth
<p>India is not the first country to leapfrog from poverty-induced undernourishment to also having an obesity crisis—but a <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/03/07/indian-food-is-great-perhaps-too-great?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelli ... Show More
24m 23s
Nov 2023
The Intelligence: higher-for-longer interest rates
<p>Economists have stopped waiting for interest rates to drop because it doesn’t seem to be coming. The <a href="https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/11/02/markets-think-interest-rates-could-stay-high-for-a-decade-or-more?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_sourc ... Show More
24m 4s
Apr 2024
The Intelligence: Bombs squad
<p>The game theory was simpler during a cold war between two states armed to the teeth; the nuclear world order has since become far more complex and dangerous. Nvidia is <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2024/03/20/can-anything-stop-nvidias-jensen-huang?utm_campaign=a. ... Show More
26m 2s
Dec 2023
The Intelligence: meeting Ukraine’s first lady
<p>Olena Zelenska foresees a time when her family can regain a quiet life. Our editor-in-chief sits down with her to discuss her mental-health campaign and life in an unexpected spotlight. President Xi Jinping wants to improve China’s toilets; we ask why that is proving <a href=" ... Show More
26m 42s
Feb 2024
The Intelligence: Troubled waters
<p>Squabbles over <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2024/01/11/welcome-to-the-new-era-of-global-sea-power?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listene ... Show More
24m 52s
Apr 2024
The Intelligence: Bear up
<p>In Russia inflation is under control, wages are on the up and supposedly tough sanctions have been successfully skirted. Why is the <a href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/03/10/russias-economy-once-again-defies-the-doomsayers?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium ... Show More
25m 6s
Sep 2023
Refresh your feed: introducing Economist Podcasts+
<p>For 17 years, The Economist has brought you a host of brilliant shows. Now we are taking that even further. But to bring you even more of the content that you love, we need your support. Why <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/09/04/an-armenian-enclave-inside-azerba ... Show More
26m 45s
Sep 2023
When politics dictates policy: China’s faltering economy
<p>&nbsp;During past economic downturns, officials have been both swift and bold. This time not so much—because their hands are tied by <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2023/09/28/politics-hamper-chinas-efforts-to-stimulate-the-economy?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.p ... Show More
25m 11s