Tag Archives: ideology

Disdaining democracy

Posted on 25th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

All those years ago – you know, way back when John Key wasn’t the Prime Minister – the populace, so we found out, was getting restless. Its main complaint about the government of the day was that it was ‘off … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What ground is ‘left’ when it comes to land, assets – and nationalism?

Posted on 29th Feb, 2012 by Puddleglum

It’s the issue that won’t go away [and here], so it’s probably a good time to ask “Where should the left stand on the land (and ‘our’ assets)?” “Stand in the place where you live” – so sang REM in what … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Freedom, Human Nature, Human Wellbeing, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Out of control

Posted on 2nd Feb, 2012 by Puddleglum

Sometimes, you just can’t keep things under control in politics. You know how it goes –  somehow Treasury documents get accidentally posted on websites; somehow the government’s majority ‘control’ over partially privatised state assets just isn’t what you thought it … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Free Market, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Believing what you need to believe

Posted on 6th Sep, 2011 by Puddleglum

It’s a common belief that politics and policy-making would be better if it availed itself of the fruits of scientific endeavour. Some call it ‘evidence-based policy‘ and it is often those on the left who call for much more of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Right’s Dependence on Welfare

Posted on 15th May, 2011 by Puddleglum

A recent comment by Don Brash [about 7mins45secs into the video] gave me the clue as to why the right are so dependent on the ‘welfare’ argument. They are, to put it bluntly, dependent on ‘welfare’ as the explanation for all … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Market, Human Nature, Human Wellbeing, Labour, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

ANZAC Day and Nationalism

Posted on 26th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

I’ve never been to an ANZAC Day dawn service. I’ve often tried to work out why. I think I now know.

Posted in Fascism, Freedom, Military, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Who’s afraid of (the charge of) ‘elitism’?

Posted on 14th Apr, 2011 by Puddleglum

Is it elitist to advocate government funding of TVNZ 7 and, by extension, Concert FM, National Radio, the NZSO and the Royal New Zealand Ballet? I don’t think so. Michelle Boag, in her appearance on Jim Mora’s ‘The Panel’ on … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Nature, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The limits of human nature – and books I have read Part II

Posted on 16th Feb, 2011 by Puddleglum

This is a post about the Amish, diversity and Thomas Sowell’s visions. I’ll try to keep it brief. Just to remind anyone who’s interested, this is part of my response to the post directed at me over at ‘A Life … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Market, Freedom, Human Nature, Philosophy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment