July 16, 2020 — In episode 1 of The End & The Beginning — an original series of webcasts exploring the big shifts happening in the world — James Crabtree argues that the coronavirus pandemic, which has greatly damaged places like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, could bring an end to the idea of "emerging markets." In the years after COVID-19, almost no country can expect to grow as quickly as countries like China once did, while global poverty rates are likely to go up, rather than down. This will further fuel an existing global shift towards illiberal populism and nationalism. (27 min., 24 sec.)