At a crucial moment they encapsulate the dilemma of how to handle populism
A backlash against abortion bans is energising the middle ground in America
They are saving like never before. But even that may not bring interest rates down
The Globalist Podcast (May 30, 2024): Have South Africa’s elections marked the end of the ANC’s political dominance?
We head to Prague for an informal Nato summit with foreign ministers, take a look back at the Bratislava Summit 2024 and assess the South Korea-UAE trade deal. Plus: the latest news from the world of aviation and a check-in from the Hay Festival.
Times Literary Supplement (May 29, 2024): The latest issue features ‘Kafka’s Century’ – Karen Leeder, Becca Rothfeld, Gabriel Josipovici, Michael Hofmann et al…; Colm Toibin returns to Brooklyn; India under Modi; A Jim Crow insane asylum and Literary cricket…
The Globalist Podcast (May 24, 2024): China has launched two days of military drills around Taiwan as “punishment” following the territory’s inauguration of its new president.
Then: a “commitment for peace” between South Sudan’s government and rebel forces, and the EU signs off on a new bill legislating artificial intelligence. Plus: television news, a report from Lisbon by Design and this week’s ‘What We Learned’.
Economies must adapt to baby busts instead
As birth rates plunge, many politicians want to pour money into policies that might lead women to have more babies. Donald Trump has vowed to dish out bonuses if he returns to the White House. In France, where the state already spends 3.5-4% of gdp on family policies each year, Emmanuel Macron wants to “demographically rearm” his country. South Korea is contemplating handouts worth a staggering $70,000 for each baby. Yet all these attempts are likely to fail, because they are built on a misapprehension.
Governments’ concern is understandable. Fertility rates are falling nearly everywhere and the rich world faces a severe shortage of babies. At prevailing birth rates, the average woman in a high-income country today will have just 1.6 children over her lifetime. Every rich country except Israel has a fertility rate beneath the replacement level of 2.1, at which a population is stable without immigration. The decline over the past decade has been faster than demographers expected.
The death of the president changes the power dynamic
A new generation of AI chips is on the way
The rainbow nation needs an alternative to decline under the ANC
Rishi Sunak’s election call makes no sense, but is good news
The Globalist (May 23, 2024): The latest from George Parker as the UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, sets the date for a general election.
Also in the programme: Nina dos Santos discusses Emmanuel Macron’s visit to New Caledonia following violence in the French territory. Plus: business news with Rachel Pupazzoni and we speak to Julie Finch of Hay Festival as the hallowed literary gathering begins.
The Globalist (May 22, 2024): We assess why Israel shut down the Associated Press Gaza live video feed. Then: why the Finnish government has proposed emergency legislation to prevent any further migrants from entering the country via the border with Russia.
Plus: we discuss the latest World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Development Index, look at Dakar’s independent art scene and speak to this year’s Booker Prize winner.
Times Literary Supplement (May 22, 2024): The latest issue features ‘The Other Europe’ – Defining a Continent; An English Country Garden; The church of Peter Ackroyd and Zombie apocalypse…
The Globalist (May 21, 2024): Mass protests take place in Mexico as the nation prepares for its general elections.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron calls a third meeting of his defence and security council to discuss the unrest in New Caledonia. Plus: Thailand’s plan to recriminalise cannabis, Japan’s changing attitudes to female emperors, Dakar’s independent art scene and the latest fashion news.
The Globalist (May 17, 2024): Michael Cohen returns to the witness stand for cross-examination on his third day of testimony.
Then: South Africa asks the International Court of Justice to order Israel to immediately withdraw from Rafah and we hear from the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Stephen Adly Guirgis. Plus: your weekend drinks menu with Maxim Kassir, head sommelier at The Aubrey, Mandarin Oriental.
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