The Economist (newspaper)

The Economist (newspaper)
source
Name	The Economist
Type	Weekly newspaper
Format	Compact
Political	Classical liberalism (self-described)
Owners	Economist Group
Founder	James Wilson
Founded	1843
Headquarters	London
Language	English

The Economist (newspaper) The Economist is a weekly international newspaper published in London, founded in 1843 by James Wilson to provide analysis and opinion on global affairs. It combines reporting on United Kingdom finance, United States policy, European Union integration, and Asia markets with commentary on culture, science and technology, often cited by figures in Whitehall, Westminster, Wall Street, and Brussels. Subscribers include policymakers from Buckingham Palace circles to executives at International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and multinational firms active in Tokyo, Beijing, and New York City.

History

The paper was established in 1843 by James Wilson amid debates over the Corn Laws, the Chartism movement, and reactions to the Industrial Revolution in Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Early contributors and influences included radicals linked to John Stuart Mill, economists associated with David Ricardo and followers of Thomas Malthus, and journalists acquainted with debates in Parliament and the British Empire regarding India policy and Free Trade doctrine. Across the 19th century The Economist commented on events such as the Crimean War, the American Civil War, and the Unification of Germany, and in the 20th century it reported on the First World War, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and the aftermath of the Second World War including the creation of the United Nations and the onset of the Cold War. During the late 20th century editorial ties engaged with figures around Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, and global institutions like the European Coal and Steel Community and later the European Union. Digital expansion in the 21st century connected the title to platforms involving Apple Inc., Google LLC, Twitter, and streaming of events in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Editorial stance and ideology

The newspaper self-describes its position as classical liberal, drawing on influences from thinkers linked to Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham, and commentators in the tradition of Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman. Its editorial line has supported policies such as Free Trade agreements, market-oriented reforms associated with Chicago School economists, fiscal positions debated in Washington, D.C., and institutional reform involving bodies like the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. The publication has critiqued protectionist measures championed by leaders of United States presidential election campaigns and has addressed regulatory debates involving agencies in Brussels and Canberra. It has also taken positions on social issues discussed in forums such as the United Nations General Assembly and has commented on technological governance in dialogues alongside European Commission policy-makers and academics from Harvard University and Oxford University.

Format and content

The weekly compact features sections covering international reportage on crises like the Syrian Civil War and the Ukraine conflict, analyses of financial developments on Wall Street and in Frankfurt and commentary on technology involving companies such as Microsoft, Amazon (company), and Meta Platforms. Regular columns examine subjects ranging from geopolitics involving NATO and ASEAN to science coverage referencing research institutions such as CERN and National Institutes of Health. Culture and book reviews discuss works by authors connected to prizes such as the Nobel Prize and the Pulitzer Prize, while special reports and fundraising events bring together speakers from Stanford University, London School of Economics, and business schools like INSEAD. Infographics and data journalism draw on sources such as the World Bank and national bureaus including the Office for National Statistics.

Ownership and governance

The title is published by the Economist Group, whose shareholders historically have included entities and individuals linked to Pearson PLC and private investors with ties to institutions in Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. Governance has involved editorial independence safeguards and boards with directors drawn from firms and institutions such as BlackRock, media organizations including Financial Times alumni, and investors associated with private equity firms. Corporate structure interacts with advertising relationships with multinational firms like BP, Siemens, and Toyota Motor Corporation, and with partnerships around live events in cities including Dubai, Mumbai, and São Paulo.

Circulation, readership, and influence

The newspaper has a global circulation and digital subscriber base spanning major financial and political centers including London, New York City, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. Its readership is influential among executives at Goldman Sachs, policymakers at bodies such as the European Central Bank and Federal Reserve Board, academics at institutions like MIT and Cambridge University, and officials in ministries across Latin America and Africa. The Economist’s investigations and leader pages have shaped public debate in contexts from Brexit referendum campaigns to negotiations over Trans-Pacific Partnership and interventions debated in G8 and G20 summits. Recognition includes citations in proceedings of the United States Congress and references in scholarly work published by presses such as Oxford University Press.

Controversies and criticism

The publication has faced criticism for perceived editorial bias from commentators in Labour Party and Conservative Party circles, disputes with columnists associated with The Guardian and The New York Times, and controversies over coverage of events like the Iraq War and positions on Austerity (policy). Accusations have included allegations of corporate influence tied to advertisers in sectors such as Energy industry and Pharmaceutical industry, debates about anonymized editorial voice practices compared with standards at outlets like Reuters and Associated Press, and disputes over translations and international editions in markets such as China and Russia. Legal and ethical challenges have arisen intermittently in relation to libel actions in courts in England and Wales and disputes over reporting of classified materials involving security services in United States and United Kingdom.

Category:Newspapers published in London