What’s worse for innovation: MAGA or Mao?

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The article discusses the leadership of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, both of whom are seen as nostalgic for the past while touting futuristic advancements like AI and robotics
• The author draws a comparison between Trump's MAGA movement and Maoist-era China, suggesting that both leaders’ focus on the past could hinder innovation and future progress

🔭 The context: While both leaders speak about embracing cutting-edge technologies, their underlying political ideologies seem to regress into older, more nationalistic ideals
• Trump’s MAGA rhetoric and Xi’s leadership are framed as barriers to true innovation, as they prioritize outdated social structures and policies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Innovation thrives in environments where new ideas are encouraged, and forward-thinking policies are put into practice
• A return to old ideologies, whether through Trump’s emphasis on nationalistic policies or Xi’s authoritarianism, risks stifling the dynamic, global collaboration needed to address issues like climate change, inequality, and technological development

⏭️ What’s next: For global progress to be made, it is essential that leaders embrace change and promote policies that foster innovation and collaboration, not nostalgia for outdated systems
• The future will depend on visionary leaders who focus on building sustainable, open, and creative pathways forward

💬 One quote: "Both have a nostalgia for the 1950s." — The Atlantic

📈 One stat: Trump is 79, and Xi is 72—both are older than the typical age of innovation leaders.

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