Globalisation and global incomes (the “elephant graph”)
An elegant graph explains why free trade is a good thing, but why it is causing a backlash in rich “Western” countries.
International
Globalisation
Left Militant
With wars breaking out at an alarming rate and democracy going backwards in much of the world what should a leftie foreign policy be?
TPP – with a whimper
Plenty of folk today pronouncing the death of the TPP. This is a victory for activism.
The great slowdown
Eight years after the Global Financial Crisis the major western economies are stagnant. Is this the new norm?
Stiglitz on the globalisation revolt
Globalisation is facing a popular revolt. Economist Joseph Stiglitz explains why.
The New Silk Road
The New Silk Road is a massive economic transport system being built at rapid speed with Chinese money, Chinese politicking, Chinese engineering, and yes, Chinese steel.
We need to talk about Islam
A post in which Ad responds to TRP’s recent post suggesting that all religion should be banned by suggesting that religious tolerance is a necessary feature of a liberal democracy.
Drumpf LIVE!
Establishment candidate and billionaire Donald J Trump is delivering his acceptance speech at the RNC. It’s chockfulla cliches, but hey …
YOOO ESSS AYYYY, YOOO ESSS AYYYY!
National denies/admits Chinese trade reprisals threatened
Yesterday this was the story: Speaking shortly after his arrival in Indonesia for a three-day trade trip, Key sought to pour cold water […]
How to collapse liberal society
Liberal society is in reverse in many parts of the world. What do we do to arrest this?
China trade realpolitik
We can’t afford to be using sub-standard steel. We shouldn’t have to buckle to pressure to do so, but we have no leverage at all.
God Botherer
God’s been a bit of a let down recently. Is it time for Him to retire?
Military coup underway in Turkey: Erdo-gone?
The attempted military coup appears to have been quickly and effectively put down by pro-Erdogan forces.
The good ones get it
A recent interview with Barack Obama displayed an understanding of the problems offered by globalisation but also understands the complex relationship between trade, elites, workers, and redistribution.
Why American Foreign Policy still matters
So what should the next President of the United States focus on? Military power or economic domination or international institutions?
Kiwi Values
Epsom hologram David Seymour reckons we need to force refugees to pledge allegiance to what he calls ‘values’. Of course, ACT don’t know value, they only know price. And haven’t we heard this sort of thing from another party in years gone by?
What the TTIP teaches us about the TPP
TTIP, TTPA, same game around the globe, a take-over by American corporations, with the rights of the public held in no regard whatsoever.
John Key’s dead cat strategy
National is hoping to avoid a proper debate about issues raised by the Panama Papers by raising a series of idiotic diversions.
John Key chickens out of #panamapapers interview
This morning John Key refused to be interviewed on Radio New Zealand after learning that they intended to ask him questions about the Panama Papers. And some elements of the media are for some strange reason trying to say there is nothing to see because he personally has not been implicated.
Arise, Sir Lynton
Lynton Crosby on his knees receiving a knighthood for services to conservative politics. To me, this really signals who is running the show, who is still running the show, and what their values are.
Mossack Fonseca bites National on the arse
John Key is facing some problems describing how a Mossack Fonseca company ended up owning a New Zealand farm and how after his lawyer asked the Government not to change the rules surrounding foreign trusts the Government moved to make sure that no rule change would occur.
Simplicity
Good shit happening in France.
Panama tax rort stirs world leaders but not Key
The Panama Papers highlight a significant problem for the countries of the world. The actions of the 1% is robbing countries throughout the world of funds needed to run their countries and underlines that the capitalist system is based on greed. Most leaders see this but not John Key.
John Key’s response to the Panama Papers leak
John Key and National are floundering and trying urgently to work out what lines they should use concerning the release of the Panama Papers.
Global poverty. Global oligarchy.
The west continues to hold a lock on global wealth. Africa and India remain desperately poor. China has built a burgeoning working class and middle class.
Key wants to turn New Zealand into a haven for the 1%
Fran O’Sullivan has spilt the beans. John Key thinks that overseas terrorism and by implication climate change are good for the New Zealand economy and that the country should not do anything about overseas corporates paying low tax rates because investment will occur. And he wants New Zealand to become a haven for people overseas fleeing from terrorism and climate change. But only if they are wealthy.
National admits the ETS is broken
Paula Bennett has conceded that the Emissions Trading Scheme is not working and that the two for one scheme which halves the cost of carbon credits for major polluters will be phased out. But when?
David Walker – Dick Of The Year
Long serving diplomat and New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator for the Trans Pacific Partnership, David Walker, was yesterday presented with the 2016 Dick Of The Year award.
TPP to criminalise ordinary viewers
A lot of people out there couldn’t give a stuff about the TPP because they don’t see it affecting them. This might change their minds.
Intergenerational theft
The Guardian has an excellent piece on “the 30-year economic betrayal dragging down Generation Y’s income”.
Health law expert on the TPP
We won’t be able to say that we weren’t warned.
Young Nats run away from public debate on TPP
Surprisingly and refreshingly, the Young Nats initially agreed. A date was set, a venue booked, and promotion of the debate under way.
General Lord Dannatt: UK should work with Assad in Syria
Russia understands how to defeat ISIS and the UK should be helping not opposing them, says a former UK Army chief of staff.
Corporate Saviours
oh, hallelujah…
The TPPA could blight public education
The TPPA could bring us charter schools on steroids, and threaten policies like free tertiary education. In general its a way of locking in a permanent, international right-wing governance which can limit and constrain the kind of social policies that any future NZ left-wing government might want to enact.