Keep Kamala and carry on: Harris’s smooth route
Digest
This episode of The Intelligence from The Economist begins with a brief introduction to the podcast and its hosts, Rosie Blur and Jason Paulver. The episode then dives into Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, discussing her rapid rise in popularity, her fundraising success, and the challenges she faces in the upcoming election. The episode then explores the decline in the number of new billion-dollar Chinese startups, known as unicorns. It examines the reasons behind this trend, including government policies, the loss of foreign capital, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in China's business environment. Finally, the episode delves into the rising prices of beach huts in Britain, exploring the factors contributing to their high cost, including limited supply, historical significance, and the recent surge in staycations.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign
Kamala Harris officially launches her presidential campaign, succeeding Joe Biden. The episode discusses the rapid shift in support towards Harris, her fundraising success, and the potential challenges she faces in the upcoming election.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Decline of Chinese Unicorns
The episode explores the decline in the number of new billion-dollar Chinese startups, known as unicorns. It examines the reasons behind this trend, including government policies, the loss of foreign capital, and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in China's business environment.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The High Cost of Beach Huts in Britain
The episode delves into the rising prices of beach huts in Britain, exploring the factors contributing to their high cost, including limited supply, historical significance, and the recent surge in staycations.
Keywords
Unicorn
A privately held company valued at over $1 billion. Unicorns are often associated with high-growth startups in the technology sector.
Kamala Harris
The current Vice President of the United States and the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Harris is known for her prosecutorial background and her progressive political views.
Beach Hut
A small wooden shed located on a beach, often used for storage, changing, or simply enjoying the sea view. Beach huts are a popular feature of British seaside towns and have become increasingly expensive in recent years.
Xi Jinping
The current President of China and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping has implemented policies aimed at controlling the growth of the private sector and promoting state-led development.
Donald Trump
The 45th President of the United States. Trump is a controversial figure known for his populist rhetoric and his business background. He is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
Q&A
What are the main reasons for the decline in the number of new Chinese unicorns?
The decline is attributed to government policies that have made it difficult for startups to access capital and operate freely, the loss of foreign investment due to political and economic uncertainties, and the challenges of building a profitable business in a state-controlled environment.
Why are beach huts in Britain so expensive?
The high cost of beach huts is driven by limited supply due to restrictions on new construction, their historical significance and sentimental value, and the recent increase in demand from staycationers and those seeking a seaside lifestyle.
What are the potential challenges Kamala Harris faces in her presidential campaign?
Harris faces challenges from the Republican Party, who will likely attack her record and political views. She also faces the task of uniting the Democratic Party and appealing to a broad range of voters.
Show Notes
A day is a long time in American politics: Kamala Harris has reportedly already secured the votes to become Democrats’ presidential nominee, a pile of campaign cash and the Trump campaign’s attention. For insight into how China treats its startup scene, we count the dwindling number of newly born unicorns (10:03 ). And why Britain’s twee beach huts are so eye-wateringly expensive (15:40 ).
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