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

00:00:00

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.

00:10:06

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.

00:15:35

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

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