State of profusion: governments just keep growing

<p>Some factors that drive relentless growth in state spending are eternal; some are getting stronger. Our correspondent outlines a <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/11/20/the-world-is-entering-a-new-era-of-big-government?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=third-party-host&utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">big-government future</a>. We examine how MacKenzie Scott, an accidental billionaire, is <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/mackenzie-scott-is-shaking-up-the-world-of-giving/21806331?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=third-party-host&utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">revolutionising</a> big-money philanthropy. And Moroccan hoteliers <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/11/13/hard-up-hoteliers-want-morocco-to-legalise-premarital-sex?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=third-party-host&utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rail against a law</a> that forbids beds for the unwed.</p><p>For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>