Unlock American politics with The Economist’s John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard and James Bennet. Taking one big theme every week, they dig into the data, the ideas and the history behind it. Politicians, pollsters and political scientists join them to discuss where the great experiment of American democracy is headed. Published every Friday.
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Chart trend
Position in the Politics chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#96#190JunJulAugSep
#60
all-time peak
105
days in the top 100 since Nov 2024
Latest episodes
Showing 19 · updated from the feed
Trailer: Tocqueville Road Trip
When Alexis de Tocqueville visited America from France in 1831 he saw a new kind of society. Not just a country, but an idea that would change the world. His book “Democr
Jun 17 3 min
Trailer: Checks and Balance
Unlock American politics with The Economist’s John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard and James Bennet. Taking one big theme every week, they dig into the data, the ideas and the
May 6 1 min
Trailer: Scam Inc
A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger
Jan 24 2025 3 min
Election results: a brief message from John Prideaux
John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon are on today's edition of The Intelligence with their take on the election results so far. To listen, head to The Intel
Nov 6 2024 1 min
A key Keystone: the race for Pennsylvania
Whoever wins Pennsylvania will probably win the presidency: according to The Economist’s forecast model it’s the most likely tipping point state. We’ve travelled to three
Oct 4 2024 51 min
Woke croaks: “peak woke” has passed
Over the past decade a form of wokeness arose on the illiberal left, characterised by extreme pessimism about America and its capacity to make progress. Analysis by The E
Sep 27 2024 50 min
Election rejection: fears of a contested result
Republicans are already preparing to contest the result if Kamala Harris wins the presidency. American elections demand patience and trust, but with Donald Trump on the b
Sep 20 2024 48 min
Open to debate: Harris and Trump clash
On Tuesday night in Philadelphia Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took part in what might be the only debate between them in this campaign. The race is extremely close: wil
Sep 13 2024 52 min
Trailer: Boom!
How did two old, unpopular men end up running for the world's most demanding job? It’s the question John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor, gets asked the most. And the
Jul 2 2024 3 min
Trailer: The Modi Raj
Narendra Modi is one of the most popular politicians on the planet. India’s prime minister is eyeing a third term atop the world’s biggest democracy.
A tea-seller’s son
Jun 1 2024 4 min
Choose this podcast: abortion and the election
In 2022 the Supreme Court gave control of abortion back to “the people and their elected representatives.” This November will be the greatest test yet of what that means.
May 31 2024 53 min
Checks and Balance: Aid, and a bet
For months, a big foreign-aid deal looked like it was going nowhere in the House of Representatives. Now $95bn of support is heading out the door. How did the bill get th
Apr 26 2024 48 min
Checks and Balance: Capitol gains
While America’s focus has been on the presidential election, the race for Congress is even more volatile. With razor-thin majorities in the House and the Senate, both cha
Apr 5 2024 48 min
Checks and Balance: Growth states
It’s not long since America was widely thought to be on the brink of recession. Instead the economy expanded by 3% in 2023, and continues to defy expectations. But why ar
Mar 15 2024 47 min
Checks and Balance: Strike accord
America has launched strikes against Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East, in response to an attack on a base in Jordan where three US troops died. How close are Am
Feb 10 2024 51 min
Checks and Balance: Biden or bust
Joe Biden’s chances against Donald Trump in November do not look good. He is unpopular and his age puts many Americans off. How did it come to this? And what can the Demo
Jan 5 2024 47 min
Checks and Balance: Year all about it
If the election were held tomorrow, Donald Trump would probably be the favourite to win. How should we be thinking about the race with a year to go? And how can the worl
Nov 17 2023 50 min
Checks and Balance: Well enough alone?
On foreign policy, trade and immigration, the Republican Party wants America to push the world away. This is a departure, but also a return to what the party used to beli
Oct 27 2023 51 min
Checks and Balance: Trailer
US editor John Prideaux and his colleagues from across the US and around the world go beyond the headlines and the horserace to delve deeper into the race for the White H
Jan 17 2020 1 min
Chart positions
Where Checks and Balance from The Economist ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 12, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I am a 30-something midwestern conservative (in the Burkean 'protect the wisdom of civilization' school of thought, not the populism of today) and I find the Economist, in this case Checks and Balance, a helpful counter balance to my own points of view. Very well produced, pleasant to listen to. Paced well. John, Charlotte, & Idrees represent a thoughtful journalism that, while acknowledging their own point of view, interrogates the politics of the left and right without falling victim to the tribalism that so plagues our system. In other words; here is journalism.
John 3:16- Ohio JMH · Dec 2024
The subscription is a no-brainer even if only for this pod, let alone for all the high quality Economist shows. We’re in a thick soup of hot takes and derivative content - we need objective curation helping us see through to what matters, and we need context, both historical and global. This has both when it comes to U.S. policy and politics. Charlotte is fantastic.
OzzieMR2 · Sep 2023
I’m a bit bummed they’re going to put this show fully behind the paywall instead of simply offering the show with ads to the non paying public and allowing subscribers to listen to an ad-free version, like many podcasts have done. I enjoy the show, but I’m looking to cut back on my subscriptions, not add to them. It’s truly unfortunate that good journalism so often is locked behind paywalls when less-credible, less-informative podcasts are available for free. I understand needing funding to support quality journalism, I just don’t think this is the way to go about it.
76906347 · Sep 2023
I’m a subscriber to The Economist in the USA, I spend my driving hours at night in South Texas listening to the digital edition of The Economist and I do like this podcast, as a migrant with basic education I learn something different everyday. I recently became a U.S. citizen and I proudly can say I’m not a low information voter.
El Rinche · Jul 2023
It’s been good knowing you and a joy to listen to such excellent podcasts each week. It’s sad to know that John & Charlotte & Idrees will be continuing their discussions in muffled tones behind a wall from next month on. Maybe I would’ve taken out a subscription if it had been for less. In fairness it’s vital that good journalism be in reach of all, not just those who can afford it. Also ironic, by the way, that this new subscription plan be announced during a podcast concerning the ‘working class.’
092416 · Sep 2023
Long-time listener who's enjoyed downloading the podcasts pretty regularly. I often disagree with the hosts, but it's sometimes interesting to hear their opinions. Had to unsubscribe this week bc it's moving to subscription only, and I certainly don't plan on paying money to overhear a conversation lol. Good luck with that, though.
AL_5785224 · Sep 2023
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