Vote with no confidence: Zimbabwe goes to the polls

<p>Arranging friendly media coverage, giving handouts to voters, stifling opposition rallies: once again the country’s ruling party has put its <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/08/22/zimbabweans-fear-the-worst-as-they-go-to-the-polls?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thumb on the scales</a>. It has to, after decades of failed governance. Our correspondent visits fire-ravaged Lahaina in Hawaii, finding equal parts <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/08/17/lessons-from-the-blaze-that-levelled-lahaina?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shock and anger</a> among residents (10:32). And the curious rise of Britain’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/07/20/the-rise-of-the-self-pitying-mp?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">self-pitying lawmakers</a> (18:38).</p><br><p>For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to <a href="https://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p><p><br></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>