In its defense, the Economist has been known for its handsome catchphrases since before the modern clickbait era began. Take their covers for example. I don't think they're bowing to pressure -- just doing what they do.
That's fair. I've been reading The Economist for quite awhile, and to your point, it's never short on clever catchphrases and headlines. I do, however, think the use of catchphrases within a text (as opposed to the headline) has been growing over the years. Especially in recent years. Not just in The Economist, but in general. To wit: the headline "Crowning the Dragon" feels very typically Economist; the catchphrase "The Pacific Century" feels more like a conscious attempt to coin a meme.