There is much to understand from the dramatic kidnapping (abduction is perhaps a better word) of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores last weekend by the United States armed forces, combined with the military attack on the country’s capital Caracas. This understanding is greatly helped by the comments of the US’s first electedContinue reading “Nicolás Maduro kidnapping, US imperialist expansion and implications for New Zealand”
Tag Archives: new-zealand
Free Speech – the ethics of conviction and the ethics of responsibility
On 25 September Kwame Anthony Appiah, who teaches philosophy and law at New York University, had a paywalled article titled ‘Watch What You Say’ published by the New York Review of Books. It is a fascinating read on his review of two books on free speech within an historical and contemporary perspective. Thomas Paine’s rightContinue reading “Free Speech – the ethics of conviction and the ethics of responsibility”
Far right cannibalising the mainstream rightwing; implications for New Zealand
Until recently I used the terms ‘hard right’ and ‘far right’ interchangeably. Certainly, dictionary definitions didn’t substantively differentiate. Broadly speaking they refer to people in political parties or other organisations with extreme rather than moderate or compassionate rightwing views. However, in part influenced by observing the behaviour of the ACT and NZ First parties inContinue reading “Far right cannibalising the mainstream rightwing; implications for New Zealand”
The Misrepresentation of Luddism
Whenever the terms Luddism and Luddites are used they are invariably used in a negative or derogatory manner. Calling something Luddism and people Luddites is intended as an insult, sometimes forcefully so. This is because it is associated with machine smashing by rural English labourers in the early 19th century. In other words, smashing theContinue reading “The Misrepresentation of Luddism”
When Apartheid met Zionism
The 1981 Springbok Tour was one of the most controversial events in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history. For 56 days, between July and September, more than 150,000 people took part in over 200 demonstrations in 28 centres. It was the largest protest in the country’s history. It caused social ruptures within communities and families across the country.Continue reading “When Apartheid met Zionism”
When Politics gets in the Pocket of the Gun Lobby
Will 2025 be any different from 2024 in respect of the gun lobby’s influence over the National-ACT-NZ First coalition government’s firearms policy? This question now has a sharper focus with the Government’s intention this year to rewrite the Arms Act 1983. This legislation is administered by the Ministry of Justice. It is a reasonable questionContinue reading “When Politics gets in the Pocket of the Gun Lobby”
Haka, Hikoi and the Empowerment of the Kohanga Generation
Internationally at least the haka is most associated with Aotearoa New Zealand’s national men’s rugby team, the All Blacks. It immediately preceded the start of test matches. The haka is a customary Māori way of welcoming visitors but traditionally also served to invigorate warriors as they headed into battle. It is both a show ofContinue reading “Haka, Hikoi and the Empowerment of the Kohanga Generation”
Changing face of capitalism: private equity threat to New Zealand economy
The Reserve Bank is “watching” the expansion of private equity in Aotearoa New Zealand in light of alarm bells being run by financial regulators globally. These alarm bells included no less than the European Central Bank and Bank of England over possible risks to financial stability by the rise of private equity, including their lendingContinue reading “Changing face of capitalism: private equity threat to New Zealand economy”
New Zealand’s shameful modern slavery shutdown
Slaves had existed in both ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. However, the word ‘slavery’ has a subsequent Latin origin, ‘sclava’, meaning “Slavonic captive in reference to the 9th-century slavery of Slavonic people. Over time it came to mean anyone in captivity, not just Slavs (nor for that matter, those in Greece or the RomanContinue reading “New Zealand’s shameful modern slavery shutdown”
Hegemony, meaning and structured literacy
One of the big political influences on me has been Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937). He was a courageous revolutionary and anti-fascist activist whose premature death was directly linked to a lengthy imprisonment, while in poor health, under Benito Mussolini’s fascist government. Gramsci was also a remarkable and creative intellectual perhaps most noted for hisContinue reading “Hegemony, meaning and structured literacy”
Political Bytes 