The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.
On this episode of the Munk Debates podcast, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and best selling author, Newt Gingrich, joins us to discuss the legacy of Trump’s first term as president and where U.S. politics might be headed after November 3.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, former U.S. labour secretary, Robert Reich, joins us to discuss the once in a generation societal challenges presented by COVID-19.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, Michael Eric Dyson, best-selling author joins us to discuss the future of the politics of race in the shadow of the most consequential U.S. election in a generation.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast Maggie Haberman, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times’ White House correspondent, joins us for a behind the scenes look at President Trump’s re-election bid.
Flouting mask wearing as means to help control the pandemic. Forcing states to secure critical medical supplies and bootstrap their own testing capacity. Touting hydroxychloroquine as a key COVID therapy. These are some of the more memorable features of the national pandemic response of the United States to date. A response that has led the US to have the largest number of COVID deaths globally – 200,000 and counting. But millions of Americans believe that President Trump’s approach ...
Weeks to go to one of the most consequential elections in a generation and the incumbent, President Donald Trump, is facing an increasingly challenging political environment. His Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, has enjoyed a consistent lead in the national polls as well in many key swing states. Add in a pandemic that has killed over two hundred thousand Americans and the conditions are ripe for political sea change on November 3. But seasoned election watchers say it’s far too early for t...
A wall that stretches 300 miles along the US-Mexico border. The suspension of the Dreamers program that shielded 800,000 children born to undocumented immigrants from deportation. The launch of a zero-tolerance policy that separates unauthorized migrants from their children. These are some of the hallmarks of the immigration policy of President Donald Trump’s administration. Tackling the growing number of unauthorized migrants was central to Trump’s election in 2016 and will be key t...
Six months into the pandemic researchers continue to be perplexed by COVID-19. There are many unknowns with the virus, and one of the most controversial is its deadliness. Leading health institutions have warned that COVID-19 is much more dangerous than the seasonal flu and that without expansive public health measures millions of people could die from the virus. But there are some in the scientific community who disagree. Antibody testing of large population groups indicates that we could...
In a world where shutdowns and quarantines have become the norm, Sweden stands out for choosing a pandemic strategy that is markedly different than its peer nations. In Sweden, bars, restaurants, public spaces, and most significantly, elementary schools have continued to operate since COVID-19 began its spread through the country last March. Supporters of the Swedish model argue that its strength lies in being sustainable over the long haul. Critics say this strategy has come at way too hi...
Since the beginning of human civilization, men have been the dominant sex. But now, for the first time, a host of indicators suggest that women are not only achieving equality with men but are fast emerging as the more successful sex of the species. Critics of the argument that men are in decline argue that the age-old power structures associated with “maleness” remain as entrenched as ever. They say men still retain significant control over the workplace, the family, and society at ...
Throughout the Western world, politics is undergoing a sea-change. Long-held notions of the role of government, trade and economic policy, foreign policy and immigration are being challenged by populist thinkers and movements. Does this surging populist agenda in Western nations signal a permanent shift in our politics? Or, is it a passing phenomenon that will remain at the fringes of society and political power? On the eve of a contentious US election, the Munk Debates shares an abridged versio...
Over five million cases. More than 160,000 deaths and counting. The US currently leads the global tally for the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile some countries, originally devastated by the coronavirus, are reopening successfully after driving new infections down to manageable levels. Some say the only way to prevent tens of thousands of more deaths in the U.S. is a second wave of shutdowns targeting the hardest hit areas. Critics argue that with shutdowns the supposed “cure&rdq...
To address the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19 Western governments have unleashed an unprecedented wave of monetary and fiscal stimulus. The US stimulus package includes trillions of dollars of liquidity for financial markets, the direct purchase of billions in corporate debt by central banks, and billions more in low interest loans and wage supports for big businesses. Supporters of these measures believe they are vital to preventing a severe recession from turning into a Great Depress...
The economic fallout from COVID-19 has compelled governments around the world to launch the largest fiscal and monetary aid programs in living memory, incurring massive deficits in the process. This is happening at the same time as a radical, new approach to economic policy making is gaining momentum: Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). Its proponents believe that governments that issue their own currencies are not limited by revenues when it comes to spending. What governments choose to spend money o...
COVID-19: Have we seen the last of the big city boom? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, renowned urbanists Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin argue the motion Be it resolved COVID-19 spells the end of the big city boom. SOURCES: KHOU 11, CBS Miami, New York State, WGN News, Fox Business, CTV News, BBC News
Has #MeToo gone too far? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, Harvey Weinstein’s attorney, Donna Rotunno, and Jane Manning, a former sex crimes prosecutor, argue the motion Be it resolved the #MeToo movement has gone too far. SOURCES: MSNBC, Global News, thedailybeast, ABC News, CBSN
Is it time to defund police? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, Minneapolis City Council Member Alondra Cano and Retired Deputy Chief Wayne Harris argue the motion Be it resolved it is time to defund police and reimagine public safety in our communities. SOURCES: Lexington Herald Leader, ABC News, Reuters, CBC Television, ABC10, Global News, CBSN
COVID-19: Is globalization a failed experiment? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, former World Bank VP, Ian Goldin, and economics commentator Marshall Auerback argue the motion Be it resolved the COVID-19 pandemic proves that globalization is a failed experiment. SOURCES: Sky News, Global News, Politico, The Whitehouse, Yahoo Finance, Deutsche Welle, France 24, RT America
COVID-19: Is China’s system of governance better than liberal democracy? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, Chinese scholar Zhang Weiwei and Oxford professor Timothy Garton Ash argue the motion Be it resolved, China’s ability to defeat Covid-19 proves its system of governance is a better model than liberal democracy. SOURCES: CNBC, CNN, PBS Newshour, Fox News, Bloomberg News, BBC, NDT Television.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, VP of the Center for China and Globalization, Victor Gao on China’s role in global affairs post pandemic.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, political scientist Ian Bremmer on rising U.S.-China tensions, the global economy, and growing civil unrest in the U.S. and around the world.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, NYT columnist David Brooks on political and social changes post pandemic.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb on the future of pandemics, public health, and their effects on the economy.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, technology journalist Kara Swisher joins us for a conversation on the fate and role of Big Tech and Silicon Valley post pandemic.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, best-selling author and historian Niall Ferguson joins us for a conversation on how history can help us understand what our world will look like after the pandemic.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power joins us for a conversation about the fate and future of global institutions in a post-pandemic world.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, famed economist Mohamed El-Erian joins us for an in-depth discussion about how COVID-19 will reshape the global economy.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, acclaimed journalist, author, and CNN host Fareed Zakaria joins us for a wide-reaching and in-depth conversation about the coronavirus pandemic and its long term impact on geopolitics and international affairs.
On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, renowned author and thinker Malcolm Gladwell joins us for an in-depth conversation about the coronavirus pandemic and its long term impact on health care, refugees, and the economy.
Is the end of capitalism the answer to climate change? On this episode of the Munk Debates Podcast, environmental activist and Guardian columnist George Monbiot debates MIT scientist and bestselling author Andrew McAfee on the motion Be it resolved, ending climate change requires the end of capitalism as we know it. SOURCES: PBS, NBC News, Whitehouse.gov
