ET Evoke
America’s fiscal house is burning down — yet, Harris & Trump are arguing over the furniture: Kent Smetters
Kent Smetters of Wharton School highlights that neither 2024 US Presidential candidate, Trump nor Harris, addresses America's escalating federal debt. Both candidates propose measures that could worsen the situation. Smetters suggests long-term economic planning, including tax reforms and spending cuts, as potential solutions for reducing debt while growing the economy.
Even wealthy America has extremely high inequality — that shows in a rural-urban divide which can manifest in votes for Donald Trump: Stephan Weiler
Stephan Weiler, an Economics Professor, explains rural America's economic struggles and the resulting support for Donald Trump. He highlights the disparity between rural and urban areas, the decline of family farms, and higher implicit costs in rural living. This dissatisfaction drives rural voters to protest by supporting Trump, feeling ignored by traditional elites.
‘Polls show a dead heat US election with Kamala Harris enjoying a slim lead — 37% Americans are dissatisfied with democracy’
A political behaviourist discusses the role of technology in shaping public opinions and political actions. Recent FAU national poll results show a close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for the 2024 US election. The study also highlights differences in voter satisfaction, economic concerns, and the impact of internet on political polarization.
‘US politicians target immigrants to deflect public attention — yet, they’ll never do mass deportations’
Ediberto Roman, a law professor at Florida International University, discusses the rhetoric and reality of immigration in America's 2024 Presidential election. He critiques Donald Trump's recent claims about immigrants and highlights the economic importance of immigrant labor in various industries, while also addressing the political motivations behind anti-immigrant rhetoric.
‘We will see more centenarians in an older and healthier world — we now think of a 60-year-old Kamala Harris as being young’
Sarah Harper, Clore Professor of Gerontology at Oxford University, discusses the global demographic shift towards an ageing population. She highlights the economic implications, the need for mixed-age workforces, and the importance of changing societal views on older adults. Harper also emphasizes the rapid ageing process in India and the necessity for supportive structures.
America is facing a sharp fork in the road — US climate action will differ entirely, based on whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins: Michael Gerrard
Michael Gerrard, an environmental law expert, discusses the differing climate change policies of President Biden and Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election. Biden's administration has made significant strides with the Inflation Reduction Act, while Trump plans to reverse these initiatives if elected. The future of US climate action hinges on this election outcome.
‘We are living in truly dangerous times — the field of ecology can teach economics about cooperation and mutual survival’: Simon Levin
Simon Levin, an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor at Princeton University, emphasizes the intersection between economics and ecology. He discusses how economic behaviors like discounting the future and self-interest can lead to environmental issues. Levin suggests cooperation, inspired by natural systems, is crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change and sustainability.
Globalisation is creating a truly worldwide middle class — US debt is huge, yet its leaders are stepping on the fiscal gas pedal: Harold James
Harold James, a notable professor at Princeton University, shared insights on globalisation, artificial intelligence, and the resurgence of gold. He asserted that globalisation has vastly improved global resources despite its criticisms. James believed that technology could revolutionize education and healthcare. He commented on the increasing gold prices, attributing it to central banks’ preference for it over the US dollar. Moreover, he opined that the US dollar's dominant role might reduce due to advancements in currency translation technologies and financial uncertainties in the US economy.
‘With the US electoral college, 90% of America is ignored during the Presidential polls — it’s better to have a single nation-wide election’
"The US does have an odd and complicated system for electing its President — it’s a lot more complex than just having a single nation-wide poll."
Americans are not polarised but our parties are, says Stanford University professor Morris P. Fiorina
Morris P. Fiorina of Stanford University highlighted that the American public is not as divided as often portrayed. He emphasized the instability of majorities in US politics and the resurgence of class over identity politics. Fiorina suggested that while parties are polarized, the general populace is more united. He also discussed vice-presidential selections in elections.
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'Immigration in US is all about race — most women don’t want the life Trump-Vance envision for them'
"We’re also seeing the increasing popularity of the great replacement theory, embraced by those who believe unfettered immigration is supported by the Democrats to replace ‘real Americans’ with Latin Americans — here, a ‘real American’ carries the undertone of being a white American."
America is seeing both partisan animosity and lowered trust in social institutions: James Druckman
"The US has a written Constitution with many unspoken things — an example is the role of the Supreme Court which is very vague. Over time, people’s expectations of how politicians should behave have grown but there’s nothing legally binding about that. Even Congress respecting Supreme Court decisions or not allocating electoral districts to partisan advantage are norms we expect politicians to abide by — but there’s nothing illegal about not abiding.," says James Druckman.
Positive stories have rising potential in non-linear news formats now — that is despite political polarisation and the negativity bias: Stuart Soroka
Professor Stuart Soroka from UCLA sheds light on the influence of negativity bias on news consumption and public perceptions in the 2024 American election year. Exploring the shift towards positive news stories and the implications for media depictions of immigration. Insights into the role of partisan news in society and the common core of knowledge across different news channels. A balanced view of how information processing and political beliefs intersect in the current information landscape.
‘We have to protect the environment and solve inequality — the two don’t have to oppose each other’
"Some taxes could generate more burdens on lower-income groups or people facing energy inequity. But we could get more creative about policy solutions — could we perhaps have fossil fuel taxes that are higher for products which higher-income people use? Can we use those revenues to redistribute resources?"
Britain’s economy isn’t seeing growth anywhere near India’s 7% GDP rise — this has caused fewer differences between the Conservatives and Labour: Jaideep Prabhu
The UK election landscape is marked by economic uncertainties post-Brexit, minimal policy distinctions between parties, and environmental concerns driving voter engagement. Influential figures like Farage, Johnson, and Sunak shape political narratives, while climate change discussions underscore the urgency for sustainable solutions amidst global warming threats.
‘It is beyond belief we’re still subsidising the cause of the climate crisis — we need greater subsidies for renewables over fossil fuels now’
"I think the CBAM, to the extent that it does result in significant revenue from tariffs, should recycle some of those funds in lump sum forms to help countries clean up their production processes and adapt to climate change," says Cameron Hepburn, Battcock Professor of Environmental Economics at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, Oxford University.
