The Economist (periodical)
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| The Economist (periodical) | |
|---|---|
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| Title | The Economist |
| Editor | Zanny Minton Beddoes |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Founder | James Wilson |
| Firstdate | 1843 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Issn | 0013-0613 |
The Economist (periodical) is a weekly international news magazine founded in 1843 by James Wilson in London. It covers international affairs, finance, business, science, and technology, and is noted for its concise editorial voice and distinctive anonymous editorial section. The publication has evolved alongside institutions such as the British Empire, United States Department of the Treasury, World Bank, and European Union, influencing policymakers and business leaders worldwide.
History
Founded by James Wilson in 1843, the magazine initially advocated for free trade during debates involving the Corn Laws and figures like Richard Cobden and John Bright. In the nineteenth century it covered events such as the Reform Act 1867, the American Civil War, and the expansion of the British Empire. During the twentieth century it reported on the First World War, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Second World War, responding to geopolitical shifts involving the League of Nations and later the United Nations. Ownership passed through families and firms, with the Cadbury family and the Guardian Media Group figure in twentieth-century media consolidation; today it is published by The Economist Group alongside entities such as the Financial Times historically and companies involved in global media investment. Editorial leadership across decades engaged with crises like the Suez Crisis and the Cold War, and covered economic turning points including the Bretton Woods Conference, the 1973 oil crisis, and the 2008 financial crisis.
Editorial stance and content
The magazine has articulated positions on matters including free trade advocated by Adam Smith-influenced liberalizers, regulatory approaches debated in forums such as the G20, and fiscal policy discussions involving the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Its editorial pages traditionally present a classical liberal perspective, often aligning with policies promoted by figures like John Maynard Keynes at times and Milton Friedman at others, while endorsing institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund. Coverage spans profiles of leaders such as Margaret Thatcher, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Angela Merkel, and Barack Obama, analyses of corporations like Apple Inc., General Motors, and Goldman Sachs, and reviews of cultural works including books by George Orwell and films about events like the Vietnam War. The anonymous leader column reflects a collective editorial voice that comments on legislation and summit outcomes such as the Paris Agreement and decisions from NATO gatherings.
Format and distribution
Published weekly from offices in London with international bureaus in cities such as New York City, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Singapore, the magazine produces print and digital editions. It has employed design innovations comparable to other periodicals like Time (magazine) and The New Yorker, and distributes via subscription services and newsstands akin to The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times. Special reports and surveys have addressed sectors including pharmaceuticals covered in relation to World Health Organization guidance and technology clusters such as Silicon Valley. The Economist Group operates events and research arms, paralleling activities by organizations like Bloomberg L.P. and Reuters.
Notable contributors and editors
Contributors and editors have included influential figures and journalists who also engaged with institutions such as the Royal Society and universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Historical editors and contributors intersected with public intellectuals like John Stuart Mill-era liberals, and twentieth-century correspondents reported on theaters of conflict including reporting on the Battle of Stalingrad and diplomatic coverage of the Yalta Conference. Recent editors include Zanny Minton Beddoes; notable writers have written about markets and policy in the manner of commentators affiliated with the Harvard University and London School of Economics faculties. Columnists and correspondents have covered finance with expertise comparable to analysts at Morgan Stanley and academia connected to institutions such as Princeton University.
Influence and reception
The magazine has influenced debates in parliaments such as the House of Commons and in executive circles including the White House and cabinets across Europe. Policymakers, CEOs, and academics cite its analyses alongside reports from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Reception varies: it is praised by readers connected to think tanks like the Cato Institute and the Brookings Institution for rigorous analysis, while critics from political movements including Labour Party factions and progressive NGOs challenge its positions on austerity and market liberalization. The Economist’s endorsements of referendum outcomes and elections have attracted attention comparable to endorsements by The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Digital presence and multimedia
The publication maintains a digital platform with articles, podcasts, and video content distributed through services like major podcast platforms and video channels similar to those of BBC and CNN. Multimedia series have explored topics ranging from global supply chains impacted by events like the COVID-19 pandemic to technology policy debates involving Apple Inc., Google, and Microsoft. It also runs data-driven projects and interactive graphics reminiscent of work by FiveThirtyEight and The Guardian, and hosts conferences and summits featuring speakers from institutions such as International Monetary Fund and corporate leaders from firms like Amazon (company).
Controversies and criticisms
The magazine has faced criticism for editorial positions on interventions associated with debates around the Iraq War, austerity policies after the 2008 financial crisis, and stances on trade agreements like those negotiated under the World Trade Organization. Critics have invoked examples from media critiques by outlets such as Al Jazeera and commentators in The Guardian and The New Yorker, while defenders cite empirical studies from academic journals and policy reviews by entities such as the OECD. Accusations have included perceived bias toward financial elites and occasional editorial misjudgments over geopolitical developments such as forecasts about the Eurozone crisis.
Category:Weekly magazines published in the United Kingdom