The Economist Outs Paw Patrol As Gender-Normative Pro-Police Propaganda

The Economist is way late to this story. Back in 2020, we published a piece about a criminology professor named Liam Kennedy who claimed on Canadian state TV that the kids' show Paw Patrol was problematic: "I just think that as time goes on, children might be less likely to critique the capitalist system that causes environmental harm in the first place and reproduces inequality,” Kennedy said.

A few months later, The New York Times published a piece on Paw Patrol (remember, this was 2020, the height of Woke 1, which was crazy) arguing that a backlash was mounting against the portrayal of "good cops," like the lead puppy in Paw Patrol.

It's six years later; Paw Patrol is still on the air and as popular as ever with the kids, and The Economist is taking a look at the "dark underbelly" of Paw Patrol.

Of the main gang of six pups, some critics note, only one is a girl, whose outfit and even eyes are pink. Worse, the top dog is a police pup, so the whole thing is pro-police “copaganda” https://t.co/6FpHbabxBK

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) August 9, 2026

We'll bet whoever wrote this consulted at least one university professor. Let's take a look:

Of the core gang of six pups, some critics note, only one is a girl, whose outfit and even eyes are pink. Worse, the top dog, Chase, is a police pup, so the whole thing is pro-police “copaganda”. Actually, since the patrol are unaccountable freelancers to whom a ditzy mayor defers, it is a sly advert for privatised state services. (Their funds come from merchandising, runs a winking joke—which may grate with those forking out for it.)

In short, fulminated a Guardian commentator, “Paw Patrol” is “authoritarian neoliberal propaganda”. An academic reckoned it “encourages complicity in a global capitalist system that (re)produces inequalities”. Rallying to the show’s defence, a former White House spokesperson wrongly claimed it had been cancelled. It is very tempting to dismiss the whole debate as killjoy hogwash and culture-war lunacy.

…

Tempting, but mistaken. It isn’t only that. There is, after all, a reason dictators try to control the stories told to the young. “Give me the child until he is seven”, the Jesuits’ founder supposedly said, “and I will show you the man.” Books, films and, yes, cartoons impart values and lessons. A sensation like “Paw Patrol” is doing a lot of imparting, and evidently resonating with youngsters everywhere. The takeaways of a critical theorist, however, may not be those of a four-year-old unfamiliar with Ayn Rand.

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So the (anonymous) author cites not only an academic but also a Guardian columnist.

"only one is a girl, whose outfit and even eyes are pink."

God forbid a girl character wears pink. At least she is a biological female, and not trans. The last thing entertainment for children needs is more transaganda garbage slop.

— ƬЄƛƓƛƝ ƦЄƖԼԼƳ🍸 (@velvethammer) August 12, 2026

JFC you all are idiots

— Bleu Cheque (@VERBAL_CHANCLA) August 12, 2026

Once a serious magazine, the Economist was destroyed by a woke white woman hired as editor in chief in 2015.

Overnight the articles became sanctimonious, untrustworthy dreck.

Now they are doing critical media theory on Paw Patrol.

This is what Elon said to her three weeks ago.… https://t.co/yrx3uuTuc3

— Kevin Bass (@kevinnbass) August 11, 2026

Not the first time someone has had a problem with Paw Patrol pic.twitter.com/DprCWENCYO

— Unprofessional Genius (@9Unprofessional) August 12, 2026

Wow, from 2018, even before the George Floyd riots.

Someone took out student loans to have a career as a “journalist” who whines about a children’s tv show

— Brett (@blw1138) August 11, 2026

"Daddy, why did people support the fascists when they took over in 2032?"

"This shit right here, son."

— Devon Eriksen (@Devon_Eriksen_) August 11, 2026

My kindergartner is going to be so upset. She’s been reading the Economist for years and now you’re attacking her favorite show! For shame!

— David Sabino (@dsabs11) August 12, 2026

This has got to be a satirical article. I refuse to believe The Economist has fallen this far, but I’m not gonna pay to read this article. No way someone actually wrote this as a serious think piece.

— The America Man (@TheAmericaMan1) August 12, 2026

No one took credit for it. Even if it is satire, it's bad satire and doesn't deserve to be published anywhere.

Someone wrote this, then someone edited it, then someone gave the okay to publish it, then someone actually published it. A whole daisy chain of stupidity... This is why your profession is dying. pic.twitter.com/gRnUqLds41

— Only the Owls know (@JMintheSW) August 12, 2026

Never thought 'Id see the day when The Economist and Teen Vogue become basically indistinguishable but here we are

— Walter (@LongBeachBum) August 12, 2026

At least the criminology professor talked about how the show made children comfortable with capitalism … The Economist should have tracked him down for its piece.

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