Europe's Future, Online Politics, and Populism in America

In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss a range of topics, beginning with the economic and industrial implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict for Europe, particularly in the context of defense and competition with China's electric car industry. They then shift to the recent Israel-Gaza deal, emphasizing the importance of Gaza's economic future. The conversation transitions to the rise of identitarianism, both on the left and the right, and the potential dangers of extremist views gaining influence through political staffers. They analyze the political landscape, referencing the election of Zohran Mamdani and the broader implications for the future of leftist politics, including potential shifts in focus towards decolonial and pro-Islamic ideologies.