Doha Debates

"It’s not less networking and connecting. It’s more." —Sophie Scott-Brown

Get extended conversations with the experts and global thinkers who've joined our debates, town halls and podcast episodes in our Spotlight series.

In the Spotlight: political philosopher, Sophie Scott-Brown from the Doha Debates Podcast episode, “Does global power lie with governments or corporations?”

0:00 Intro
0:15 Who really runs the world?
1:29 How can communities shape democracy in a changing world?

"Capitalism is like a self-destructive, suicidal baby." —Antara Haldar

Get extended conversations with the experts and global thinkers who've joined our debates, town halls and podcast episodes in our Spotlight series.

In the Spotlight: professor of law and economics @byantarahaldar from the Doha Debates Podcast episode, “Does global power lie with governments or corporations?”

0:00 Intro
0:25 As corporations gain influence, are governments losing control of national security?
2:15 Does capitalism need government intervention?

Our time at @mozillafestival was filled with connection and conversation.

Swipe through 📲 for highlights from #MozFest 2026.

This week's episode of the Doha Debates Podcast asks: Does global power lie with governments or corporations?

Featuring Antara Halder, Sophie Scott-Brown @HuiyaoWang and @MarkJLittlewood

00:00 Intro
01:25 Governments vs. corporations: Who has more power?
09:01 “Corporations are far more powerful.”
17:58 “Capitalism is like a self-destructive, almost suicidal baby.”
38:29 Does China offer an alternative governmental and economic model?
49:45 Civil society’s role: Holding government and corporations accountable
1:04:42 How does China balance corporate growth with statecraft?
1:14:29 Do the interests of tech companies align with public interest?
1:19:22 Can global cooperation solve our biggest challenges?
1:25:10 “A lot of the problems that we have are problems without passports.”
1:30:27 The message of populist movements
1:44:30 Social media, algorithms and public responsibility
1:49:15 Is digital disinformation undermining democracy?
2:12:00 Closing thoughts

“I think we really, really need to have local institutions that are both cognitively and affectively appealing to everyday people.” —Antara Haldar

On this week’s Doha Debates Podcast episode, “Does global power lie with governments or corporations?”, experts debate whether the world is on the precipice of great change.

Featuring:
-@byantarahaldar: Professor of law and economics, University of Cambridge
-@MarkJLittlewood: Director, Popular Conservatism
-Sophie Scott-Brown: Political philosopher, University of St. Andrews
-Henry Wang: Founder and president, Center for China and Globalization

Moderated by international journalist and media executive @sosalam