Harvard University is supposed to be a place of intellectual freedom. But its students and staff face two kinds of tyranny, both of which feature prominently in Alexis de Tocqueville’s work.

Guests and Hosts

• John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”
• Harvey Mansfield, retired Harvard Professor
• Alan Garber, 31st president of Harvard

Topics

• Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”
• The battle over freedom of expression
• Harvard and the Trump Administration

Let us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.com

To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

In a township in rural Michigan, the residents choose to square up against some of the most powerful forces in the country. What can the campaign against a giant AI data centre teach us about democracy in America?

Guests and Hosts

• John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”
• Kathryn Haushalter, Saline township resident
• Colin Sullivan, senior vice-president of Related Companies

Topics

• Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”
• Data centers in rural America
• How the American township functions

Let us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.com

To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Do you worry about a future where your job is replaced by AI? Are you a high earner but never seem to have any money? Would you like to work less and spend more time pursuing joy? Then FIRE might be right for you! Tamara Gilkes Borr delves into the “Financial Independence, Retire Early” movement to find out how to step back from work and what you have to sacrifice to do so.

Topics covered:

• FIRE
• Early retirement
• Financial independence
• environmentalism

Links to articles:

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/05/14/prepare-for-an-ai-jobs-apocalypse

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/14/the-jobs-apocalypse-a-very-short-history

https://www.economist.com/business/2024/01/25/why-you-should-never-retire

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Music by Blue dot and Epidemic

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