Keep Kamala and carry on: Harris’s smooth route
1Digest
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 to prominence following Joe Biden's withdrawal, her successful fundraising efforts, and the potential challenges she faces in the upcoming election. The episode then shifts focus to the decline in the number of new billion-dollar Chinese startups, known as unicorns. It examines the role of government policies, foreign capital, and the changing business environment in China's startup ecosystem. 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
Kamala Harris's Presidential Campaign and the Decline of Chinese Unicorns
This episode explores Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, discussing her rapid rise to prominence following Joe Biden's withdrawal, her successful fundraising efforts, and the potential challenges she faces in the upcoming election. It also examines the decline in the number of new billion-dollar Chinese startups, known as unicorns, and the factors contributing to this trend.
The High Cost of Beach Huts in Britain
This 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
Kamala Harris
The current Vice President of the United States and the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
Unicorn
A privately held company valued at over $1 billion. Unicorns are often associated with high-growth tech startups.
Beach Hut
A small wooden shed located on a beach, often used for storage, changing, or enjoying the sea view. Beach huts are a popular feature of British seaside towns.
Xi Jinping
The current President of China and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. He has implemented policies that have impacted the growth of Chinese startups.
Staycation
A vacation spent at home or in one's local area, often chosen as an alternative to traditional travel. Staycations have become more popular in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 discouraged the growth of certain sectors, the loss of foreign capital, and the changing business environment in China.
How has Kamala Harris's presidential campaign gained momentum so quickly?
Harris has benefited from a rapid shift in support following Joe Biden's withdrawal, a successful fundraising effort, and a renewed energy within the Democratic Party.
Why are beach huts in Britain so expensive?
The high cost is due to limited supply, historical significance, and the recent surge in staycations, which has increased demand for these properties.
What are the potential challenges Kamala Harris faces in the upcoming election?
Harris will likely face attacks from the Republican Party on her record as Vice President, her perceived liberalism, and her handling of the border issue.
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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