"Understanding U.S. Government Shutdowns: Politics, Impacts, and Surprises"

In this episode, we dive into the concept of a "government shutdown" in the United States—a phenomenon triggered when Congress fails to pass a budget, halting federal operations. We discuss the current crisis involving Trump and Elon Musk’s support for a rejected budget proposal, the historical context of 21 shutdowns, and their profound economic and social impacts. Learn why such shutdowns don’t happen in countries like Japan and explore the cultural and political dynamics unique to the U.S. that make government shutdowns both frequent and disruptive.