Reading an article on Maximilien Robespierre published in the New York Review of Books (23 June 2022) has led me to reflect (or more accurately, further reflect) on both my short time as an active member of a far left political organisation in New Zealand in the early 1970s and the state of the wider leftContinue reading “Reflecting on Maximilien Robespierre and other things”
Author Archives: otaihangasecondopinion
Function versus form: public service cuts
The National-led coalition government is undertaking a brutal assault on the public service by implementing blunt arbitrary cuts on public service staffing. The cuts are intended to be up to 7.5% but in some ministries and departments it could be higher. Its official justification is that there is too much ‘fat’ in the public service.Continue reading “Function versus form: public service cuts”
From overcoming ‘bonkers’ to a political pickle
Labour’s landslide victory in the 2020 general election meant that it became the first majority government in Aotearoa New Zealand since the introduction of proportional representation in 1996. If someone had said then it would not only be voted out but also thrashed in the next election, the response would have overwhelmingly been ‘bonkers’, orContinue reading “From overcoming ‘bonkers’ to a political pickle”
Formal democracy, popular will and military coups
In its 2023 Index of the countries of the world Transparency International rated Aotearoa New Zealand the third best nation on transparency. However, as credible as this was, there was a drop in its score. The fall was in how common it was for businesses to make undocumented extra payments or bribes connected with trade,Continue reading “Formal democracy, popular will and military coups”
Muddled analysis: Left, right, and wrong!
Sometimes when I contemplate whether to blog on a political subject or not, I struggle with the question of relevance. The fact that the subject interests me is not a guarantee of wider relevance. On this occasion, aided and abetted by personal bias I’ve opted to blog. The catalyst is a column published by BryceContinue reading “Muddled analysis: Left, right, and wrong!”
Wealth accumulation – ‘Big Sugar’ and Little Barbados: a lesson in struggle and consciousness
If New Zealanders undertook four basic public health measures they would not only live longer, they would significantly reduce the pressure on their badly politically driven overstretched health system. Three of these measures involve doing moderate exercise, consuming little alcohol (an addiction when misused), and not smoking (an addiction when used or in the presenceContinue reading “Wealth accumulation – ‘Big Sugar’ and Little Barbados: a lesson in struggle and consciousness”
Why Labour lost the 2023 election so badly
On 1 August 2017 Jacinda Ardern was elected leader of the opposition Labour Party in extraordinary circumstances. Opinion polls were showing Labour heading towards a massive fourth consecutive electoral defeat in September. National meanwhile was heading towards being the fourth New Zealand government to do four consecutive terms: Liberal (1893-1912), Labour (1935-49) and National (1960-72). LaterContinue reading “Why Labour lost the 2023 election so badly”
Food sovereignty versus profit-maximisation
In late January 2020 New Zealand’s trade minister David Parker got the “cold sweats”. This is according to The Economist (9 May 2020; paywalled): The world’s vulnerable food system. The context was China’s decision to ban package tours from heading overseas for the lunar new-year holiday. Parker’s “cold sweats” were not primarily due to the lossContinue reading “Food sovereignty versus profit-maximisation”
Make war on Woke; the word I mean
I love a good conspiracy theory. This is why I was somewhat addicted to The Blacklist despite its absurdities; also I liked James Spader who played the lead character Red Reddington. Reddington was at war with a ‘thing’ he called the ‘Cabal’. It was a shadowy multi-national group holding positions of influence in government andContinue reading “Make war on Woke; the word I mean”
Context of the ‘New Washington Consensus’ and China ‘threat’ for New Zealand
There is a reported apparent rift within Cabinet between Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Andrew Little over Aotearoa New Zealand’s position in the widening conflict between the United States and China. While at its core it is over relative economic power, the conflict is manifested by China’s increased presence in the Pacific Ocean,Continue reading “Context of the ‘New Washington Consensus’ and China ‘threat’ for New Zealand”
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