logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
45m 39s

Go For Degrowth?

THE TIMES
About this episode

Keir Starmer says it's all about growth, growth, growth - but why do some economists and politicians say we're looking at it the wrong way? Ed Vaizey finds out about the radical theory of 'degrowth', and asks whether happiness is a better measure of success than GDP.


Plus: Columnists Melanie Reid and Robert Colvile discuss Britain's faltering national pride, the crucial role of public libraries, and why the Tories are seen as a bit weird.


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

Up next
Nov 20
Ministers 'Dragging Heels' Over Single-sex Spaces
<p>The Times today reveals the guidance on transgender people using single-sex spaces like toilets and changing rooms. It's been sitting on the government's desk - are ministers trying to avoid a political backlash?&nbsp;</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day wit ... Show More
30m 56s
Nov 19
PMQs: A Labour Budget With Labour Values?
<p>Kemi Badenoch presses Keir Starmer over whether the government would "break another promise" by freezing income tax thresholds. With Starmer deferring to the chancellor’s plans next week, will it truly be “a Labour Budget with Labour values”?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the ... Show More
41m 45s
Nov 18
Is Labour 'Appeasing The Electorate'?
<p>The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves ... Show More
30m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Veep state: the running mates debate
After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s vice-presidential debate, our correspondent assesses their performance – and its effect on the US election. In Britain the pro-European cause is popular, but its advocates are ineffective (10:53). And why the gl ... Show More
23m 20s
Oct 2024
Labour’s love lost: Keir Starmer’s first 100 days
<p>Britain’s Labour Party came to power promising to restore order and stability. Our correspondent explains whether its <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/10/07/the-sue-gray-saga-casts-doubt-on-keir-starmers-managerial-chops?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcas ... Show More
25m 25s
Oct 2024
Veep state: the running mates debate
<p>After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/10/02/the-vice-presidential-debate-was-surprisingly-cordial?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery ... Show More
23m 20s
Jul 2025
Oh Keir! Labour’s torrid first year
After a landslide victory and promises for radical renewal, Britain’s Labour government is failing in policy and popularity. Our correspondents explain why. Nearly a year after the despotic prime minister of Bangladesh fled, an interview with its new leader on the country’s compl ... Show More
28m 3s
Jul 2024
Why the far right is winning in Europe, with Yanis Varoufakis
In the recent European elections, the far right won unprecedented gains. From the success of the AfD in Germany, to Le Pen’s National Rally in France, the elections saw nationalist and eurosceptic parties sweep up nearly a quarter of the seats in the European parliament. In the U ... Show More
42m 42s
Nov 2024
Scandal in the wind: Adani’s indictment could hurt Modi
<p><a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/11/24/the-adani-scandal-creates-a-storm-for-narendra-modi?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.listeners" rel="noopen ... Show More
23m 14s
Jul 2025
Oh Keir! Labour’s torrid first year
<p>After a landslide victory and promises for radical renewal, Britain’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/07/03/sir-keir-starmer-is-rapidly-losing-his-authority?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.a ... Show More
28m 3s
Jun 2025
Same news story: why Murdoch endures
The all-famous Murdoch clan is engaged in a fierce battle over control of the family’s media companies. Our correspondent explains why turmoil at the top has not deterred investors. After decades of fruitless research into Alzheimer’s, there are finally some new drugs in the pipe ... Show More
18m 57s
May 2019
115: THE EVE OF THE WAR with special guest Stephen Bush of the New Statesman
As the EU Election clock ticks remorselessly down to zero we’re joined by the New Statesman’s political editor STEPHEN BUSH to survey the campaign so far and predict the upshot. What will Labour’s “all things to everyone” stance to do its vote? How do we fight the Brexit Party’s ... Show More
1h 13m
Apr 2024
Jeffry Frieden: How Politics and Economics Interact
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even optimal economic policies create winners and losers, and that's where politics steps in. Trade liberalization is an example of a policy that can make a country better off as a whole, but what happens to workers who lose out ... Show More
23m 38s