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The Economist was founded by James Wilson, a Scottish businessman, in September 1843 with the primary goal of advocating for the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist was founded by James Wilson in September 1843 with the primary objective of advocating for the repeal of the Corn Laws.
The Economist's coverage initially focused solely on international finance and trade.
Answer: False
Explanation: While initially focused on advocating for the repeal of the Corn Laws, The Economist expanded its coverage to include political economy, current events, finance, commerce, and British politics.
Who founded The Economist and what was its initial primary objective?
Answer: James Wilson; to campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Explanation: The Economist was founded by James Wilson in 1843 with the primary objective of campaigning for the repeal of the Corn Laws.
The Economist's prospectus from August 1843 detailed thirteen key areas of coverage. Which of the following was NOT one of them?
Answer: Detailed reviews of popular fiction novels.
Explanation: The Economist's 1843 prospectus outlined thirteen areas of coverage, which did not include detailed reviews of popular fiction novels.
Which two historical figures, represented by statues in Edinburgh, symbolize The Economist's foundational beliefs?
Answer: Adam Smith and David Hume
Explanation: Statues of Adam Smith and David Hume in Edinburgh symbolize The Economist's foundational beliefs in laissez-faire policies and free trade.
The Economist's mission statement, derived from its founder's description, emphasizes a struggle against 'unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The publication's mission statement, originating from founder James Wilson, highlights its role in combating 'unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress'.
The Economist's editorial stance is primarily centered around classical, social, and economic liberalism, advocating for free markets and free trade.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist consistently advocates for classical, social, and economic liberalism, championing principles such as free markets and free trade.
In the mid-nineteenth century currency disputes, The Economist supported the Currency School against the Banking School.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the mid-nineteenth century currency disputes, The Economist aligned with the Banking School, criticizing the Bank Charter Act of 1844.
The Economist has consistently supported the UK monarchy throughout its history.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Economist supports the United Kingdom becoming a republic, indicating a stance against the monarchy.
The Economist has historically supported gun control measures.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist has a consistent record of supporting gun control measures, reflecting its broader stance on social liberalism and government regulation for public safety.
The Economist supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq but later criticized the Bush Administration's handling of the war.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist initially supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq but subsequently criticized the Bush Administration's handling of the war, citing 'almost criminal negligence'.
The Economist advocates for policies such as drug legalization and a carbon tax.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist advocates for policies including drug legalization and a carbon tax, aligning with its principles of economic and social liberalism.
What is the core message of The Economist's mission statement as derived from its founder's description?
Answer: To foster a contest between intelligence and ignorance.
Explanation: The Economist's mission statement emphasizes a 'severe contest between intelligence... and an unworthy, timid ignorance'.
What was The Economist's stance on the Bank Charter Act of 1844?
Answer: It criticized the Act, aligning with the Banking School.
Explanation: The Economist criticized the Bank Charter Act of 1844, aligning with the Banking School's perspective on currency regulation.
The Economist's editorial stance typically champions which economic principle?
Answer: Economic liberalism
Explanation: The Economist's editorial stance typically champions economic liberalism, advocating for free markets and free trade.
Which of the following social issues has The Economist supported?
Answer: Stricter gun control
Explanation: The Economist has supported liberal causes on social issues, including stricter gun control measures.
What did The Economist call for following the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal?
Answer: The resignation of Donald Rumsfeld.
Explanation: Following the Abu Ghraib scandal, The Economist called for the resignation of then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Walter Bagehot, a former editor, significantly shaped The Economist's intellectual direction during his tenure from 1861 to 1877.
Answer: True
Explanation: Walter Bagehot's tenure as editor from 1861 to 1877 was highly influential, significantly shaping the publication's intellectual direction and reputation.
What is the significance of the column named 'Bagehot' in The Economist?
Answer: It is named after a former editor and constitutional expert.
Explanation: The 'Bagehot' column is named after Walter Bagehot, a former editor of The Economist, who was also a noted constitutional expert.
Which former editor is noted for shaping The Economist's intellectual direction and reputation for insightful analysis?
Answer: Walter Bagehot
Explanation: Walter Bagehot, a former editor from 1861 to 1877, is noted for shaping The Economist's intellectual direction and reputation for insightful analysis.
The 'Big Mac Index,' first published in 1986, is used by The Economist to measure the cultural influence of fast-food chains globally.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Big Mac Index,' introduced in 1986, is used by The Economist to measure the purchasing power parity of currencies, not the cultural influence of fast-food chains.
The '1843' magazine is The Economist's sister publication focused on technology and science.
Answer: False
Explanation: '1843' is The Economist's sister lifestyle magazine, focusing on arts, style, food, and travel, rather than technology and science.
The 'Democracy Index' is produced by The Economist's research arm, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Democracy Index' is produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which is the research division of The Economist Group.
The 'Espresso' news app provides a daily briefing and is available every day of the week.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Espresso' news app provides a daily briefing from The Economist's editors, but it is published every day except Sunday.
The Economist's 'Country of the Year' award recognizes the country that has shown the most decline over the preceding year.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Economist's 'Country of the Year' award recognizes the country that has shown the most improvement over the preceding year, based on political and economic reforms or other positive developments.
The Economist launched a new weekly section dedicated exclusively to China in January 2012.
Answer: True
Explanation: In January 2012, The Economist introduced a new weekly section dedicated solely to China, marking the first such country-specific section since 1942.
The Economist's 'Technology Quarterly' (TQ) is a daily feature focusing on technological advancements.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Technology Quarterly' (TQ) is a special section published by The Economist every three months, focusing on recent trends and developments in science and technology.
The Economist's 'Glass Ceiling Index' assesses the prevalence of glass manufacturing in different countries.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Economist's 'Glass Ceiling Index' measures female equality in the workplace, assessing factors like leadership representation and pay gaps, not glass manufacturing.
In 2013, The Economist named Uruguay 'Country of the Year' primarily for its economic reforms.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2013, The Economist named Uruguay 'Country of the Year' for its progressive social policies, specifically legalizing recreational marijuana and same-sex marriage.
Which of the following is NOT among the main topics covered by The Economist?
Answer: Local community gardening
Explanation: The Economist covers global affairs, economics, business, technology, and culture, but not typically niche topics like local community gardening.
What is the 'Big Mac Index' used for?
Answer: To measure the purchasing power parity of currencies.
Explanation: The 'Big Mac Index' is an informal measure of purchasing power parity, using the price of a Big Mac hamburger in different countries to compare currency values.
Which of the following is a lifestyle magazine published by The Economist Group?
Answer: 1843
Explanation: '1843' is the lifestyle magazine published by The Economist Group, evolving from 'Intelligent Life'.
What is the primary focus of The Economist's 'Technology Quarterly' (TQ)?
Answer: Recent trends and developments in science and technology.
Explanation: The 'Technology Quarterly' (TQ) focuses on recent trends and developments in science and technology, offering in-depth analysis.
Which country was named 'Country of the Year' by The Economist in 2020 for its increased democratization?
Answer: Malawi
Explanation: Malawi was named 'Country of the Year' in 2020 by The Economist for its significant progress in democratization.
Which country did The Economist name 'Country of the Year' in 2013 for legalizing recreational marijuana and same-sex marriage?
Answer: Uruguay
Explanation: In 2013, Uruguay was named 'Country of the Year' by The Economist for its progressive social policies, including legalizing recreational marijuana and same-sex marriage.
Which of the following is a podcast series produced by The Economist that focuses specifically on China?
Answer: Drum Tower
Explanation: 'Drum Tower' is a podcast series produced by The Economist that specifically focuses on China.
What is the 'Espresso' news app?
Answer: A daily news briefing published every day except Sunday.
Explanation: The 'Espresso' is a daily news app from The Economist that provides a concise briefing from the editors, published every day except Sunday.
What is the 'Economist Intelligence Unit' (EIU)?
Answer: A division of The Economist Group providing global analysis and forecasts.
Explanation: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is a division of The Economist Group that provides global analysis and forecasts on political and economic trends.
The Economist Group owns The Economist publication, with Exor, the investment company of the Agnelli family, being the largest shareholder after a 2015 transaction.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist is owned by The Economist Group, and following a 2015 transaction, Exor, the investment company of the Agnelli family, became its largest shareholder.
The Economist's circulation in 1877 was approximately 3,700 copies, growing to nearly 1 million by the year 2000.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist's circulation grew significantly from approximately 3,700 copies in 1877 to nearly 1 million by the year 2000.
The majority of The Economist's sales originate in the United Kingdom.
Answer: False
Explanation: The majority of The Economist's sales, approximately 54%, originate in the United States, with the United Kingdom accounting for 14%.
Which family's investment company became the largest shareholder of The Economist in 2015?
Answer: The Agnelli family
Explanation: In 2015, Exor, the investment company of the Agnelli family, became the largest shareholder of The Economist.
What was the approximate global print circulation of The Economist between July and December 2019?
Answer: Over 909,476 copies
Explanation: Between July and December 2019, The Economist's average global print circulation was reported to be over 909,476 copies per week.
The Economist primarily focuses on original reporting and investigative journalism, often featuring bylines for its staff writers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Economist emphasizes interpretive analysis and data journalism over original reporting and typically employs anonymous authorship, rather than bylines for staff writers.
The Economist's distinctive fire-engine red nameplate was designed by its founder, James Wilson.
Answer: False
Explanation: The distinctive fire-engine red nameplate of The Economist was designed by Reynolds Stone in 1959, not by its founder.
The Economist uses anonymous authorship to maintain a consistent, collective voice across its publications.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Economist maintains a consistent, collective voice through its tradition of anonymous authorship, meaning most articles are published without bylines.
The Economist's slogan in the early 1990s, 'The Economist – not read by millions of people,' was intended to highlight its mass-market appeal.
Answer: False
Explanation: The early 1990s slogan, 'The Economist – not read by millions of people,' was intended to emphasize its focus on a niche, influential readership rather than mass-market appeal.
The Economist's main editorial offices are located exclusively in London.
Answer: False
Explanation: While primarily based in London, The Economist maintains other editorial offices in major cities globally to reflect its international scope.
The Economist's style guide is based on widely adopted industry standards rather than internal rules.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Economist utilizes its own in-house style guide, rather than widely adopted industry standards, to ensure a consistent and distinctive voice.
How does The Economist maintain a consistent voice across its articles?
Answer: Through a tradition of anonymous authorship.
Explanation: The Economist maintains a consistent voice through its long-standing tradition of anonymous authorship, allowing the publication to present a unified perspective.
How did The Economist's format change in 1971?
Answer: It transitioned from broadsheet to a smaller, perfect-bound magazine.
Explanation: In 1971, The Economist transitioned from its broadsheet format to a smaller, perfect-bound magazine style.
What is the purpose of The Economist's GitHub account?
Answer: To publicly disclose data models and software for transparency.
Explanation: The Economist uses its GitHub account to publicly disclose data models and software, promoting transparency in its data journalism processes.
What is the primary characteristic of The Economist's writing style regarding economic concepts?
Answer: It assumes a working familiarity with classical economics.
Explanation: The Economist's style assumes readers have a working familiarity with classical economics, explaining complex ideas concisely without defining basic terms.
The Economist's slogan in the early 1990s, 'The Economist – not read by millions of people,' was intended to convey:
Answer: A focus on niche, influential readership.
Explanation: The slogan 'The Economist – not read by millions of people' conveyed a focus on a niche, influential readership rather than mass appeal.
How does The Economist typically approach explaining fundamental economic concepts?
Answer: By assuming readers are familiar with classical economics and explaining concisely.
Explanation: The Economist typically explains fundamental economic concepts by assuming readers are familiar with classical economics and providing concise explanations.
Karl Marx viewed The Economist as a publication representing the interests of the working class.
Answer: False
Explanation: Karl Marx described The Economist as the 'European organ of the aristocracy of finance,' indicating he viewed it as representing the interests of the financial elite, not the working class.
The Economist faced censorship in Iran in 2006 due to its use of the term 'Persian Gulf'.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2006, Iran banned The Economist's sale due to its labeling of the Persian Gulf simply as 'Gulf,' reflecting a naming dispute.
According to the source, what did Vladimir Lenin describe The Economist as?
Answer: A publication supporting British millionaires.
Explanation: Vladimir Lenin described The Economist as a 'journal that speaks for British millionaires'.
What criticism did James Fallows level against The Economist?
Answer: Its editorial lines sometimes contradicted its news stories.
Explanation: Journalist James Fallows observed that The Economist's editorial lines occasionally contradicted its news stories.
What specific criticism did journalists covering climate change raise regarding fossil fuel advertising in The Economist?
Answer: Potential conflicts of interest undermining reporting credibility.
Explanation: Journalists raised concerns that fossil fuel advertising in The Economist could create potential conflicts of interest, undermining the credibility of climate change reporting.
The Economist faced backlash in 2019 for a tweet suggesting:
Answer: The sterilization of transgender people.
Explanation: In 2019, The Economist faced backlash for a tweet that suggested the sterilization of transgender people, for which it later apologized.