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The Economist
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· Nov 18
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“We are the jolly boxes.” Richard Thaler discusses behavioural economics in undergraduate education. Listen to this week’s episode of “Money Talks”
Nudge, nudge: an interview with Richard Thaler
Our podcast on markets, the economy and business. This week, we hear from the Nobel-winning behavioural economist
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“We are the jolly boxes.” Richard Thaler discusses behavioural economics in undergraduate education. Listen to this week’s episode of “Money Talks”
After America issued Ukraine an ultimatum to agree to a Russia-friendly peace deal last week, the two allies have reached a reconciliation of sorts in Geneva. But another crisis may be on the horizon econ.st/3LYgut9
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
November 24, 2025 at 12:59 PM
After America issued Ukraine an ultimatum to agree to a Russia-friendly peace deal last week, the two allies have reached a reconciliation of sorts in Geneva. But another crisis may be on the horizon econ.st/3LYgut9
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
Crushing change: Europe must take control of its destiny
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
The minimum wage is a crude and wasteful tool for redistribution. After a decade of aggressive increases, the responsible option is not to go higher still. It is to pause. We explain why
Why governments should stop raising the minimum wage
After a decade of rises, there are now far better tools for fighting poverty
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The minimum wage is a crude and wasteful tool for redistribution. After a decade of aggressive increases, the responsible option is not to go higher still. It is to pause. We explain why
Americans have been demanding dramatic change since the century began, but recoiled when presidents delivered their versions of it. That does not mean Donald Trump is heading down the same path—but he may be
How Donald Trump is turning into Joe Biden
It’s about more than denying inflation
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Americans have been demanding dramatic change since the century began, but recoiled when presidents delivered their versions of it. That does not mean Donald Trump is heading down the same path—but he may be
Much of the wine around Perpignan is made from grapes grown on small plots by farmers belonging to local co-operatives. And they are struggling
Vineyards are disappearing in France
As wine-drinking slows, farmers are uprooting vines
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Much of the wine around Perpignan is made from grapes grown on small plots by farmers belonging to local co-operatives. And they are struggling
Gyunduz Mamedov fears that the West is unwittingly acquiescing in the Kremlin’s bid to undermine international justice
Russia must get no amnesty in any peace deal, writes a Ukrainian lawyer-turned-soldier
Gyunduz Mamedov fears that the West is unwittingly acquiescing in the Kremlin’s bid to undermine international justice
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Gyunduz Mamedov fears that the West is unwittingly acquiescing in the Kremlin’s bid to undermine international justice
The Sahel’s pre-eminent jihadist group is not about to seize power in Mali’s capital. But the brutal effectiveness of its blockade of Bamako sends a powerful warning
A fuel blockade shows the frightening power of Mali’s jihadists
But fears of a terrorist takeover are overblown
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Sahel’s pre-eminent jihadist group is not about to seize power in Mali’s capital. But the brutal effectiveness of its blockade of Bamako sends a powerful warning
The river Thames has never been easier to enjoy, which is good news for tourists and Londoners alike
River boats are returning Thames transport to Tudor times
Though Henry VIII might be surprised by their green twist
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The river Thames has never been easier to enjoy, which is good news for tourists and Londoners alike
Most of the world’s grid-scale energy storage comes in the form of pumped hydropower. These systems are expensive, slow to build and take up a lot of land. But there is a clever alternative
Geothermal kit can help make the power grid flexible
It is potentially cheaper and longer-lasting than lithium batteries
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Most of the world’s grid-scale energy storage comes in the form of pumped hydropower. These systems are expensive, slow to build and take up a lot of land. But there is a clever alternative
In 2026 it will become apparent that the post-cold-war era of international development is unquestionably over econ.st/4pnqhHz
Photo: Malin Fezehai/New York Times/Redux/Eyevine
Photo: Malin Fezehai/New York Times/Redux/Eyevine
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
In 2026 it will become apparent that the post-cold-war era of international development is unquestionably over econ.st/4pnqhHz
Photo: Malin Fezehai/New York Times/Redux/Eyevine
Photo: Malin Fezehai/New York Times/Redux/Eyevine
Countries taking action against their illicit networks are playing a game of whack-a-mole
How Chinese underground banks became the world’s biggest money-launderers
They connect rich Chinese, drug cartels and North Korean hackers—without anyone meeting
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Countries taking action against their illicit networks are playing a game of whack-a-mole
Refounding—the process of rediscovering a firm’s essential character—is not always necessary. Some firms are completely right to escape their roots. Others should return to them
When companies lose their way
Refounding is the process of rediscovering a firm’s essential character
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Refounding—the process of rediscovering a firm’s essential character—is not always necessary. Some firms are completely right to escape their roots. Others should return to them
Yaroslav Yemelianenko, a Ukrainian emergency worker, would like to see the rubble taken to secure locations where personal possessions can be cleaned, catalogued and held for survivors
Russian bombing leaves no time to search for keepsakes
In Ukraine, the wreckage is often gone before victims can recover their effects
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Yaroslav Yemelianenko, a Ukrainian emergency worker, would like to see the rubble taken to secure locations where personal possessions can be cleaned, catalogued and held for survivors
Donald Trump is not acting as if America were Ukraine’s ally. The president sees its weaknesses as something to exploit, rather than to repair
Donald Trump’s peace plan would be bad for Ukraine, Europe and America
It is a sad mix of naked opportunism and strategic myopia
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Donald Trump is not acting as if America were Ukraine’s ally. The president sees its weaknesses as something to exploit, rather than to repair
India’s unreliable postal system and incomprehensible addresses made e-commerce delivery uneconomic. But it is now possible to send goods to remote areas. We explain why
Indians are getting more fashionable
Cheap data, cheaper clothes and improving logistics have made trends more accessible
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM
India’s unreliable postal system and incomprehensible addresses made e-commerce delivery uneconomic. But it is now possible to send goods to remote areas. We explain why
Johannes Winkel, leader of Germany’s Junge Union, and 17 other young MPs vowed to vote against a draft pension-reform law, which they argue unfairly burdens the young. They have a point
Young MPs are fed up with Germany’s pension burdens
Rebel Christian Democrats threaten Friedrich Merz’s coalition
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Johannes Winkel, leader of Germany’s Junge Union, and 17 other young MPs vowed to vote against a draft pension-reform law, which they argue unfairly burdens the young. They have a point
On paper, at least, there is much that national governments and the European Commission could do to protect the continent’s manufacturers. Their nuclear option has so far remained unused
Chinese regulations and competition are panicking European manufacturers
Recent curbs on computer chips and rare earths are feeding broader fears about deindustrialisation
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 AM
On paper, at least, there is much that national governments and the European Commission could do to protect the continent’s manufacturers. Their nuclear option has so far remained unused
It turns out that bureaucracy is bad for economic growth—who knew? The EU’s bid to curb batty regulations is clearly welcome, but will cause whiplash econ.st/48bjFFu
Illustration: Peter Schrank
Illustration: Peter Schrank
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
It turns out that bureaucracy is bad for economic growth—who knew? The EU’s bid to curb batty regulations is clearly welcome, but will cause whiplash econ.st/48bjFFu
Illustration: Peter Schrank
Illustration: Peter Schrank
Visa restrictions have a silver lining for India’s balance of payments, points out one academic. Fewer students abroad mean less money flowing out of the country for their fees
Visa restrictions are bad for Indians—but maybe not for India
Remittances may fall, but opportunities are opening up
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Visa restrictions have a silver lining for India’s balance of payments, points out one academic. Fewer students abroad mean less money flowing out of the country for their fees
The bulk of delegates’ time was dedicated to a row over how countries might move forward on their promise to move away from the use of fossil fuels in their energy systems
COP30 ends with a whimper
The climate conference acknowledged that more climate action is needed, then failed to provide it
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM
The bulk of delegates’ time was dedicated to a row over how countries might move forward on their promise to move away from the use of fossil fuels in their energy systems
Child care is a fragmented industry, mostly made up of independent providers. Consolidation can improve scale and efficiency. But many are worried about quality
Private equity is reshaping American child care
It is introducing scale and efficiency, but raising questions about quality
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Child care is a fragmented industry, mostly made up of independent providers. Consolidation can improve scale and efficiency. But many are worried about quality
Rising token counts could be seen as a sign that the adoption of AI is soaring. But the link between them and demand is fuzzy. The link to profits is fainter still
AI tokens are surging, but are profits?
The tech world’s new favourite measure comes with several caveats
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Rising token counts could be seen as a sign that the adoption of AI is soaring. But the link between them and demand is fuzzy. The link to profits is fainter still
For stocks to fall when the news is good is a troubling hint that a long bull market might at last be running out of steam
Why investors are increasingly fatalistic
Everyone knows share prices have a long way to fall. Even so, getting out now might be a mistake
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM
For stocks to fall when the news is good is a troubling hint that a long bull market might at last be running out of steam
A rapid rise in China’s GDP per person will translate into even greater economic heft. That will have implications for the global pecking order
Can the Chinese economy match Aruba’s?
Xi Jinping has lofty goals for 2035. But China faces a real problem
econ.st
November 24, 2025 at 4:40 AM
A rapid rise in China’s GDP per person will translate into even greater economic heft. That will have implications for the global pecking order