Overview of Checks and Balance
Checks and Balance is The Economist’s podcast on American politics, hosted by U.S. editor John Priddo alongside New York bureau chief Charlotte Howard and Washington bureau chief James Bennett. The trailer positions the show as an in-depth, data-driven look at one major issue each week, focusing not just on what is happening in U.S. politics, but on the larger forces and motivations behind the news.
What the Podcast Covers
Core approach
- Examines one issue in American politics per episode
- Looks for the “why behind the news”
- Uses data and trends to place current events in broader context
- Includes viewpoints that aim to challenge conventional political narratives
Tone and perspective
- Analytical and skeptical
- Willing to offer unconventional takes
- Focused on American democracy as a “great experiment”
- Unafraid to critique both parties and institutions
Key Themes Highlighted in the Trailer
- The health of American democracy
- The show frames U.S. politics as a high-stakes system under strain
- Donald Trump’s power
- The trailer suggests concern about the scale of presidential power being exercised
- Democratic Party effectiveness
- It implies Democrats have struggled to connect with voters or pass the public’s “BS-o-meter”
- The Supreme Court and institutions
- One quoted perspective argues the court may need to be “more political” in the sense of being more engaged with real-world political forces, though not more partisan
What Listeners Can Expect
- Deep dives rather than quick news summaries
- Commentary from experienced political journalists
- Contextual analysis rooted in reporting and data
- A mix of mainstream and contrarian perspectives on U.S. politics
Access and Availability
- Checks and Balance is available to The Economist subscribers
- The trailer directs listeners to:
- Follow the link in the show notes, or
- Search for Economist Podcasts Plus for the best offer