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Author Archives: Puddleglum
The morality of poverty and the poverty of morality
We are moral animals. But, so far as I can judge, in politics today our moral instincts are operating in a way that generates the worst moral outcomes. Metiria Turei’s recent confession (a moral notion) at the launch of the Green … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Economics, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology, Poverty
Tagged Elections, human nature, political psychology, Voting, welfare
14 Comments
Who’s afraid of ‘radical’ politics?
As the 2017 election approaches the question has been asked of ‘the left’ in New Zealand – Is it time to ‘go radical‘? It’s a question especially relevant to the Labour Party given recent polling. But it’s almost exactly the … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Free Market, Human Wellbeing, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged capitalism, Elections, Freedom, National, New Zealand Identity, Voting
7 Comments
Is that all there is?
Apparently, McDonald’s hamburgers are the result of the best technology that food and taste engineers can provide. All ingredients and processing events are managed to within an inch – maybe less – of their lives. The consumable item is the culmination … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Human Nature, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged Elections, John Key, National, political psychology, self-interest, wellbeing
7 Comments
Into the dark: Clinton vs Trump – A Black and White decision?
We live in ‘interesting times’ – as the mythical ‘Chinese curse’ understatedly put it. It’s almost unbearably ‘interesting. From environmental catastrophe gathering its inevitable head of steam to global ructions in the political world and outright wars in the geopolitical world there’s more … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Economics, Free Market, Human Wellbeing, Poverty
Comments Off on Into the dark: Clinton vs Trump – A Black and White decision?
Of bewildered herds
The oldest war in history is that between the people and those who have hoarded power to themselves. Predictably – perhaps inevitably – the latter eventually gain a sense of entitlement to the power they have hoarded. In days gone by … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, International Politics, Labour, Political Psychology
Tagged bewildered herd, Elections, Jeremy Corbyn, UK Labour
Comments Off on Of bewildered herds
A brief reflection on conspiracies
John Key has responded to Hager’s claims saying: “So Nicky Hager says we’re a tax haven, well with the greatest respect, Nicky Hager is a left-wing conspiracy theorist.” Newstalk ZB, 9 May, 2016 “Last time he came out with all this … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Economics, Freedom, International Politics, New Zealand Politics
Tagged capitalism, Freedom, journalism, self-interest
1 Comment
In memoriam: The ties that ‘bind’
A Brief Reflection When it comes to ANZAC Day I’m always in a bind. The deaths, the maimings and the huge disruptions to ordinary people’s lives should never be forgotten; but to ‘honour’ that suffering in ways that, ultimately, may help … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Freedom, Military, National Identity, New Zealand Politics
Tagged army, community, New Zealand Identity
6 Comments
While we’re talking about flags …
Here’s a few interesting bits of vexillology and imperialist sentiment that I came across when researching the previous two posts. The detailed mix of the issues of flag similarity and representations of relationships to imperialism and colonialism just gets more and … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Maori, National Identity, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged colonialism, Flags, political psychology, unity
4 Comments
False flag logic – Part II: ‘Out, damned Jack!’
Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Lady MacBeth in ‘MacBeth’ (Act 5, Scene 1) – William Shakespeare One of the main arguments put forward in favour of a flag change for New … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Media, Military, National Identity, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged Elections, Flags, John Key, New Zealand Identity, political psychology, unity
9 Comments
False flag logic – Part I: ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi Oi!’
It looks like there’ll be no change to the New Zealand flag as a result of the current flag referendum. There’s any number of reasons why that’s so. It may be that the strongest reason turns out to be the unfortunately designed … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Maori, Military, National Identity, New Zealand Politics
2 Comments