The Zeitgeist

Recent Episodes

Episode 144: Economic Resilience as Economic Security

Posted April 9, 2026 • 00:34:06

The world’s leading economies are putting economic security at the top of their policy concerns. Among them, the European Union is taking a risk-based...

Episode 143: Germany’s Political Barometer

Posted March 25, 2026 • 00:35:33

Two state elections in western Germany this month resulted in one win for Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democrats and two poor outcomes for the Social...

Episode 142: The AfD and the 2026 State Elections

Posted March 11, 2026 • 00:36:28

Five state elections will be held in Germany in 2026. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) enters this “super election year” in a strong position:...

Episode 141: Germany’s Other Populist Party

Posted February 25, 2026 • 00:31:33

The BSW (formerly the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, now Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason) had early successes after its founding in 2024,...

Episode 140: The Transatlantic Relationship in a Transforming Global Trading System

Posted January 28, 2026 • 00:31:52

How have increased geopolitical competition and changing trade policy objectives affected the transatlantic relationship, and what are the shared...