The future of the USA
Left and right are used to predicting the accelerated decline of America, but are we now seeing it before our eyes and in our lifetimes?
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The Minister of Finance’s Mini-Budget
Big day today as Labour’s mini budget is announced.
Why Malcolm Turnbull is nearly right
Malcolm Turnbull is proposing law changes in Australia to try and minimise the effect that China is having on Australia’s democratic system. He may not be wrong in doing so.
Economy 2018
It’s that time of year where we start making predictions for 2018. I see it looking not too hot, not too cold.
First year of study free launched by Prime Minister Ardern
Jacinda Ardern has formally launched the Government’s free tertiary education policy.
Progress from the Labour led government
Just over one month in the new Labour led Government and it is time to measure progress.
Can a Labour led Government win the tax debate?
Why National is currently winning the debate about tax and what Labour needs to do to change this.
Appalling men and great art
There have been some great artists face some appalling allegations. Would they have been as successful if their great crimes had been exposed?
Social Democracy is still alive
With socialist governments in rapid decline right across the world, and just a very few social democrat governments re-emerging after many years out of power, it’s useful to remind ourselves of what governmental combinations are working well.
Queensland State Election and Coal
The Queensland election is turning into one of those rare and weird ones in which a large-scale environment-versus-economy fight looms largest.
Bourgeoise meth
The release of new valuation figures yesterday reinforced how addicted householders are to increasing real estate valuations, no matter what the cost.
Tampa, Ardern and positioning small countries
There are major similarities between Helen Clark’s decision to accept into New Zealand refugees from the Tampa boat and Jacinda Ardern’s pushing for New Zealand to accept refugees based on Manus Island.
Election autopsies
US democratic activists have conducted a number of reviews on what went wrong at the last election. The conclusions they have reached could helpfully inform New Zealand political activists on what to do in 2020.
Labour and rural voters
In recent years Labour has allowed National to dominate rural politics. Maybe it is time for Labour to think about reaching out to rural voters and suggest to them that a progressive vote is in their interests.
Let’s do this
With a change of Government it is a time for a change in the public entities that run New Zealand.
Jacinda Ardern, Donald Trump and political manners
In terms of style and approach Jacinda Ardern is radically different to Donald Trump.
Climate Change and the Actual Challenge to This New Government
A new report from the Deep South National Science Challenge highlights the infrastructure issues and that adaptation could require significant and expensive changes to stormwater and wastewater networks.
Who are the most influential in Wellington now?
With the change in Government who will be the new movers and shakers in Wellington and who will have their influence diminished?
Don Presland obituary
Long time Unionist and Labour supporter Don Presland died last week. Family friend Ad writes about Don’s decades of standing up for workers’ rights and in celebration of the life of a really good man.
This coming digital war
This is the first Labour Government of the digital age. How progressives respond to social media attacks may be crucial to its success.
China and New Zealand
Is it time for New Zealand to align itself with China rather than the United States?
Austria and Europe
Europe is showing a worrying trend to the right as anti immigration parties are voted into office. Austria provides the latest example.
The Nobel Peace Prize
Last week, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). This is a […]
Is there a Role for the Governor General in Coalition Formation?
MMP is challenging the traditional role of the Governor General in determining who should lead the Government after an election.
Blade Runner
A film review on the latest Blade Runner movie.
Ten Reasons for National to do another term
A tongue in cheek list of reasons why it may be best for National to form the next Government.
The political strategy of Winston Peters
The Winston Peters interregnum provides New Zealand with the opportunity to work out what are core values and what can be the subject of compromise.
The German Elections
On the other side of the world another western democracy with an MMP system has recently had an election which has thrown up a complex result.
A meeting in Wanaka
Ad reports on a recent meeting in Wanaka where David Parker addressed farmers face to face on Labour’s water policy.
The Cost
Should the Greens form part of the next Government there will be huge expectations on them to perform.
Tourism and Conservation Fund policy from Labour
Labour has announced a Tourism and Infrastructure fund policy which will raise funds for conservation and infrastructure.
Middle East Changes
If there is a change of Government what should Labour do about requests for military assistance in the Middle East?
A billion Indians
The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that privacy is a fundamental right to life and liberty under India’s constitution. Other countries recognise the right to privacy against the state. But commercial interest through social media have access to huge amounts of private information. Why should there be a right of privacy against the state but not corporate interests?
Political Statues
America is experiencing difficulties because of the celebration by the right of statutes of their racist heroes. Why does New Zealand not have this problem?
Labour Campaign Launch this Sunday
Labour’s campaign launch is this Sunday in Auckland.
Are Government-business Think Tanks worthwhile?
In America Donald Trump has abandoned business think tanks that he established not that long ago. During the last Labour Government Helen Clark established the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board with mixed results. What should a Jacinda Ardern led Labour-Green coalition do?