Can we have a future, with capitalism?
Written By:
- Date published:
8:50 am, February 25th, 2019 - 192 comments
Categories: uncategorized -
Tags: AGW, capitalism, global warming, Social Democracy, socialism
I’ll come clean. I am a capitalist. I’ve started two businesses, one not so successful, due to injuries and health issues at an inconvenient stage. Though we did OK in the end. Another which shows all the signs of a healthy infant. I don’t expect we will make a fortune, but it will make, enough. Currently I work for a multinational.
It is one of life’s irony’s that someone like me, an advocate for the mixed economy, Democratic Socialist, model that has proven the most successful economic system, to date, is considered any way, radical.
No one has yet found a better system for allocation of day to day resources, within a community, than a market capitalist system.
You see potential customers for your market garden or building skills, you invest in training as a builder, buy a set of tools, or in a plot of land and seeds. If you do it well, you make a good living, but how much profit you can make is limited, by the fact there are many other small builders and market gardeners, and your potential customers can see who grows the best vegetables, or builds houses that stay up. At this level a “free market” works fine. The economy is pretty much in a steady state, as is the use of natural resources.
As soon as you grow the community larger, than one where everyone knows the skills and honesty of the other members, you need ways of ensuring those with market power do not accumulate too much of the communities wealth. Basically that real contributors to the community don’t lose out to cheats, resulting in the breakdown of the system
No capitalist society has succeeded without a healthy dose of co-operation, common infrastructure, goods and services and regulation, “socialism”. Countries that are, “successful” by all our normal measures, have an economy balanced between private and State. The most successful have high progressive taxation, and a State share of the economy, around 50 to 60%. Ours is down to 28%, and it shows.
Without the rule of law, healthy and educated workers, public infrastructure and regulation of the “cheats” if you like, we cannot have a successful business, and wider economy.
Private provision of mass ‘public’ goods has proven to be incredibly inefficient, and wasteful. like our power companies.
It suits Bill Gates, and others, to attribute human advancement to capitalism, a self justification for having extorted extreme wealth.
Others attribute advances to human co-operation in developing infrastructure and services, laws, and sharing wealth and advancement, which capitalism can never deliver.
Both are correct.
The USA’s post war advancement was due to high taxes, socialist redistribution, a high quality public education system, State sponsored research and innovation, public infrastructure spending, anti trust laws, banking regulation and a large middle class.
All were needed to make capitalism work.
The concentration of wealth and power with late stage, insufficiently regulated, monopoly capitalism, and the winding back of social infrastructure and redistribution, is causing the USA’s decline.
In our example of small community capitalism above, people pretty much get out what they put in. The market limits how much they can take as profit. A “steady state economy, without growth, is possible.
You are buying yourself a job, if you like.
In a truly free market, an impossibility of course, where there is perfect information and competition, there cannot, of course, be any profit. “Free” marketeers/”free traders”, don’t want a “free market”, they simply want one distorted in their favour.
Any business knows, that to make a profit you have to distort the market in some way. Convince people you are better than your competitors, get Government to legislate in your favour, or give you subsidies or public goods, or use monopoly or oligopoly power, to eliminate competition and keep wages low. Your profit is always someone else’s loss.
Capitalism requires “growth” to function?
The motivation behind capitalists’ is profit. Getting out more than you put in. Why start a business and take that risk, if you are going to make the same amount as you would as an employee.
However most people do make less than they put in, so that others can profit.
Many functioning businesses don’t make a real profit. Including most of our essential small businesses. They make enough. Small builders make a good living. But you could hardly say they take out more than they put in. The degree of competition precludes that. Building material suppliers, however, make huge profits in New Zealand, because they are a duopoly. Big box stores, and banks, are extremely effective, in removing wealth from communities.
In a finite world, the exponential growth required to make increasing profits, and pay interest, is not possible.
Capitalism is cannibalising, the human and natural environment, it needs to survive.
The concentration of wealth and power insufficiently regulated capitalism, and excessive profit taking, has caused, now works against the survival of human civilisation. With the wealthy opposing any attempts to limit the damage.
192 comments on “Can we have a future, with capitalism? ”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
CommentsOpinions
Recent Comments
FeedsPartyGovtMedia
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2024
Open access notables Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons, Lopez et al., Science Advances: Future changes to the year-to-year swings between active and inactive North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) seasons have received little attention, yet may have great societal implications in areas prone to hurricane ...8 hours ago - Chicken Kiev
Chatting in the supermarket this morning, I found I needed to lunge for the chicken drumsticks.Coping mechanisms: who hasn’t felt a greater need for them lately?When it all gets too much, I turn to demonstrating handy butchery hacks.It wasn’t that she’d said anything wrong, our friend, not at all. We ...11 hours ago - The year is 2024 and it’s 1984
This is written in response to the highly significant open letter from a group of economists that was today addressed to Christopher Luxon. The year is 2024, and it’s 1984. The country is reeling from a record Olympic medal gold haul, while the globe grapples with the choice of the ...12 hours ago - The IPCA has failed
Back in 2022, RNZ took an in-depth look at the "Independent" Police Conduct Authority and its handling of killings by police. These are the most serious test of oversight, and you would expect the police's use of lethal force to receive the most severe scrutiny. But despite the police regularly ...16 hours ago - Thursday 21 November 2024
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived at Parliament on Tuesday – the size is being debated but estimates range from 42,000 to 100,000. The Prime Minister is defending not attending due to some of the organisers being affiliated with Te Pāti Māori. The national gang patch ban came into force ...16 hours ago - ‘These budget cuts are counter-productive and make no sense’
I spoke to former Productivity Chair Nana this morning about the letter he and a group of other economists sent to PM Christopher Luxon to urge the Government to urgently suspend cuts to spending and investment for the sake of the economy, struggling businesses and the wellbeing of vulnerable ...18 hours ago - ACT’s Astroturfing & A Co-ordinated Attack on Te Pati Māori
Unity on the Streets / Unity at the TableAfter the Hīkoi, all three right wing Coalition leaders came together to push the idea that the 42,000 - 50,000 + strong Hikoi was somehow less potent and brave, and more illegitimate than the energy and crowd displayed.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon 20-November: ...19 hours ago - Durability of carbon dioxide removal is critical for stabilizing temperatures
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink The world is emitting over 40 gigatons of CO2 per year, contributing to an accelerating warming of the planet. The world needs to cut emissions rapidly to be remotely on track to meet our Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to well-below 2C, and we ...19 hours ago
- I Love My Leather Jacket
I wear my leather jacket like a great big hugRadiating charm - a living cloak of luckIt's the only concrete link with an absent friendIt's a symbol I can wear 'till we meet againOr it's a weight around my neck while the owner's freeBoth protector and reminder of mortalityIt's a ...20 hours ago - Throwback Thursday: Will “Auckland Transport” Survive?
With Auckland Transport’s future up in the air under Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed CCO reform, we’ve dug way back into the archives, to unearth this post originally published in March 2010. As you’ll see, many of the debates that were being had when AT was first proposed continue to ...20 hours ago - Economists call on PM to suspend budget cuts for the sake of the economy
Nicola Willis’ budget cuts are under fire from economists for having no clear rationale and worsening the recession. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 21: The news at ...21 hours ago
- The end of policing by consent
National has appointed a new police commissioner. And he explicitly rejects policing by consent: Asked if he subscribed to policing by consent, he said he did not. “I don’t talk about policing by consent. I talk about trust and confidence, and it is fundamentally important that the police have ...1 day ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill: A Who’s Who
David Horatio Waterbed SeymourFringe politician and dweeb transformed successfully by ThinkTank money into a well-oiled soundbite robot.Currently programmed to say: Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Equal rights for all New Zealanders Was previously programmed to say:I am a proud libertarian andI am a ...1 day ago - Kinleith mill closure shows need for industrial strategy
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to deliver an economic and industrial strategy for regional manufacturing, rather than just expressing sympathy for job losses, following the announced closure of Kinleith mill in Tokoroa. “The closure Kinleith mill in Tokoroa is not just devastating for ...2 days ago
- 27% of kids going hungry, up from 21% in a year
One in four Kiwi children live in households where food runs out often or sometimes. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, November 20: The lead: The official annual Health Survey found sharp ...2 days ago - Transport modelling is an illusion
This guest post by Tim Adriaansen, an advocate for accessibility and sustainable transport, originally published on LinkedIn and cross posted here with permission. People prefer cars, right? Probably not. Here’s why. Granted, most people in English-speaking countries use a car to get around. This simple reality underpins our transport ...2 days ago
- Young Maori take over
Neither Wellington nor Parliament has ever seen anything like it before. The Police said there were more than 40,000 but however many there were, yesterday’s Hikoi to Parliament was a monumental event. It was almost three times the Foreshore and Seabed martch of 2004 and many,many times bigger than ...2 days ago - Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Aftermath
The euphoria from yesterday’s hikoi may be transitory, but is no less valuable for that. It is pretty rare for the left to feel itself to be in the overwhelming majority, and speaking as the voice of the people. Lest that momentum be lost, the organisers will no doubt be ...2 days ago - Sabin 33 #3 – Solar panels generate too much waste and will overwhelm landfills
On November 1, 2024 we announced the publication of 33 rebuttals based on the report "Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles" written by Matthew Eisenson, Jacob Elkin, Andy Fitch, Matthew Ard, Kaya Sittinger & Samuel Lavine and published by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia ...2 days ago
- What’s the time Mr Seymour?
Mr David Seymour crawling up to the ceilingThe sun don't shine the sun don't shine the sun don't shine at allMamma Pappa say you should go to school, I don't know what forNow that I've grown up and seen the world and all its liesSong: Southside of Bombay"Ake, ake, ake" ...2 days ago - Submit to defend te Tiriti!
The Justice Committee has called for submissions on National's racist and constitutionally radical Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill. Submissions can be made at the link above or by post, and are due by Tuesday, 7 January 2025. But I'd get in quick, in case National grows a spine ...2 days ago
- We need to talk about Kevin
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family has a Drunk Uncle Kevin in there somewhere. If your Kevin is anything like the ones I know, he was getting along happily enough without having to think too much about the Treaty Principles Bill apart from bloody good job, onya guys ...2 days ago - The hikoi
Like everyone else (everyone who wasn't there, anyway), I've spent the morning watching the hikoi march on Parliament. The pictures are astounding: parliament grounds and the surrounding streets are full, and there are still people backed up along Lambton Quay. The police are estimating 35,000 people, and that's a floor ...3 days ago
- Why Govt & NZ Inc should boycott & regulate Facebook
3 days ago - How should we talk about change?
A better world isn’t just possible, it’s desirable. And that’s how we should frame a lot of our conversations around making a greater Auckland. As an example take urban climate action. A climate friendly Auckland: Is free from congestion Enables people to travel how they choose Is filled with ...3 days ago
- AMA + Holiday Webworm Merch!
3 days ago - Discount Code for Webworm Merch!
Hi,So there’s a bunch of new stuff on the Webworm store (www.webworm.store) — just in time for the Holidays. Read more ...3 days ago - Trying to defuse the tension
There were urgent moves yesterday at Parliament to try and defuse the tension building up over ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill. The Bill’s author, ACT leader David Seymour, told reporters that he understood the Justice Select Committee met yesterday to discuss how long it should take to consider submissions on the ...3 days ago
- An Irritable NZ Pawn – David Seymour Admits Treaty Principles Bill will clear the way for deve...
3 days ago - Gordon Campbell On The Hikoi Arrival, And Tyler Childers
Politicians like to bang on all about the need to heal society’s racial/economic divisions, but in their actions they’re more keen on stoking those divisions, with the Treaty Principles Bill being the classic example. The Bill seeks to dilute the Crown’s responsibilities to Māori at the same time as it ...3 days ago
- Socially Backwards and Fiscally Forwards: the False Ideological Divide and the “Conservative” Li...
3 days ago - Kaamos: Accepted
I appreciate that A Phuulish Fellow has been fairly quiet recently. That’s a combination of two things – comparatively little in the way of relevant material to discuss (at least until The War of the Rohirrim comes out next month), and my general work on The Secret Non-Fiction Writing Project. ...3 days ago - Here’s how governments could fix their Paris climate commitment failures
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Governments around the world face a conundrum. Virtually none are on track to meet their Paris climate commitments. That includes the United States, which committed to cut its emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 but is only on track for 32-43% cuts ...4 days ago
- Unstoppable.
4 days ago - Katherine Trebeck – An Alternative Economic Narrative
The era of neoliberalism has been destructive on so many levels, with a huge growth in wealth and privilege for the one percent. A hollowing out of the state; fraying of the safety net; inadequate government investment in infrastructure; and continued environmental degradation has resulted in damage on a vast ...4 days ago - In a Manner of Speaking
In a manner of speakingI just want to sayThat I could never forget the wayYou told me everythingBy saying nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me nothingOh, give me the wordsGive me the wordsThat tell me everythingSongwriter: Winston TongNext Tuesday, the subscription price for Nick’s Kōrero will ...4 days ago - Monday 18 November 2024
The NZNO have announced a nationwide strike for December over its pay dispute with Health NZ, who have put a 1 per cent cap on pay rises. The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti and Treaty Principles Bill remain front and centre in the media, with the impacts of the Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke-led ...4 days ago
- Shipley warns Seymour’s bill is ‘inviting civil war’
The divisive Treaty Principles Bill is not just a risk for the National Party, it’s a risk to civil order and unity, warns a National Party grandee. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on ...4 days ago - A clearer network for the City Rail Link?
This post was originally published on Linked In by Nicolas Reid. It is republished here with permission. Auckland is now just a year or so away from having the keystone of its urban rail network complete. As I wrote about here, the City Rail Link will be a literal game changer for ...4 days ago
- National’s support base is wobbling
If ACT leader David Seymour intended the Treaty Principles Bill to drive a wedge into National’s support base, he may well already be succeeding. By midnight on Thursday after the Maori Party haka in Parliament, National MPs were being deluged with emails and messages from their members calling them out ...4 days ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #46
A listing of 33 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 10, 2024 thru Sat, November 16, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is completely "meta" (no, not that Meta). It's about our exploring how ...4 days ago
- Grifter Eftpos Tamaki at it again
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Self-appointed “Bishop” and proto-fascist, Brian Tamaki was at it again on 16 November, blocking Auckland’s southern motorway, SH1.This time, the target of his ire wasn’t the Civil Unions Act; covid lock-downs; mask mandates; or ...4 days ago - Rip up a bill, lead a haka are words to live by
I cannot stop grabbing people by the lapels, or shoulders, or similar, and raving at them about the tiny miracles in my ears.I can hear again! There could not be a more satisfied customer in all the world.In a noisy cafe I am even catching words that Karren cannot, she ...5 days ago - Unintended Consequences
Take the baitYou pay the priceIt's much too lateFor good adviceYou know and I know that our good things' throughBecause there's consequences for what we doConsequences for me and youWriters: Kevin Robert Hayes, David Nagier, Bonnie Adele Hayes.Fallout from the first readingOne News began last night by saying that tens ...6 days ago - Thank you, driver!
Today, Saturday 16th of November, is Auckland Transport’s Bus Driver Appreciation Day! Saturday 16 November marks the third annual Auckland Transport (AT) ‘Bus Driver Appreciation Day’, and this year we are encouraging all of New Zealand to thank their driver or let the bus go first if you are in ...6 days ago
- Totally Normal: Holiday Edition
Hi,If I was to accurately sum up my mental state over the week, I’d just say that I got a huge fright from my own shadow.I’d nipped out for an 11pm neighborhood stroll, just to calm down after a day of stress and screens. The Cure and Fazerdaze’s new record ...6 days ago - We Are Not Listening
The current rise of populism challenges the way we think about people’s relationship to the economy.We seem to be entering an era of populism, in which leadership in a democracy is based on preferences of the population which do not seem entirely rational nor serving their longer interests. ...
6 days ago - More lawlessness from National
On Tuesday, sick of government stonewalling, the Waitangi Tribunal issued a rare court order, ordering the Minister of Health to release unredacted documents within 48 hours showing its reasoning for disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. The government's response to the lawful order of a court? Yeah, ...6 days ago
- National’s tyrannical “foreign interference” law
Yesterday, under cover the the biggest political fight of the year, National quietly - covertly, even - introduced anti-foreign interference legislation. The bill is the product of a years-long work-program aimed at countering shit like this and this, and there's unquestionably a need to do something to counter foreign states' ...6 days ago
- The Haka Represents The Best Of Us
A few months ago, I was in an audience watching a Haka-Kapa and as I watched children dance and sing and sway and shout and beat, I couldn’t help but think “The Haka represents the best of us.”Yes, yes - there will be a thousand voices that rush forth to ...7 days ago
- Adding up the climate cost
St Mary’s Bay housing left hanging: Climate risk is systemically underestimated in the climate scenarios used by central banks, and a new report warns 10,000 houses are set to become uninsurable in Aotearoa. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in ...7 days ago
- Auckland chafing at Bishop’s housing intensification orders
One of the major problems the Government has in implementing its ‘going for housing growth’ strategy is that it isn’t giving much funding help to councils. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...7 days ago - Friday 15 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill continues to dominate political news, with it passing its first reading in the House. Parliament was briefly suspended and Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke suspended for 24 hours after leading a haka that was joined by opposition MPs and the public in the gallery. Willie ...7 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 15-November-2024
Happy Friday, welcome to another round-up of interesting stories about what’s happening in Auckland and other cities. Feel free to add your links in the comments! This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers ...7 days ago
- Are We The Waiting?
And screamingAre we we are, are we we are the waitingAnd screamingAre we we are, are we we are the waitingForget me nots, second thoughts live in isolationHeads or tails and fairy tales in my mindAre we we are, are we we are the waiting unknownThe rage and love, the ...7 days ago - The Hoon around the week to November 15
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including from COP29 this week; on the US Presidential elections, Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North ...7 days ago
- First Tea and Toast, now Milo — why do NZ’s best beverages need so much defending?
Only two months ago, Nicola Willis had to step in to stop Health New Zealand cutting tea and toast for post-birth parents, and now Lester Levy is riding to the rescue with a welcome message for all: our health workers can once again drink Milo, and will no longer need ...1 week ago - Gordon Campbell on the folly of making apologies in a social vacuum.
Day One of the Treaty Principles Bill…and everyone got what they wanted, and did what they liked. Heated words were exchanged. Culturally appropriate acts of outrage were performed. David Seymour got to play the victim card. Willie Jackson got kicked out of class. A comically red-faced Mr Speaker bellowed “Order, ...1 week ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #46 2024
Open access notables Microbial solutions must be deployed against climate catastrophe, Peixoto et al., Nature Communications [comment]: The climate crisis is escalating. A multitude of microbe-based solutions have been proposed, and these technologies hold great promise and could be deployed along with other climate mitigation strategies. However, these solutions have ...1 week ago
- The PM gets some extremely valuable legal advice for free
You can pay a great deal of money for the services of a KC. So just what would some peerless legal writing from 40 or so of them be worth, do you reckon?Priceless, that’s what. It’s not even the half of it, but this is my favourite part of the ...1 week ago - D-day for the government
The government's Treaty Principles Bill is up for its first reading today - bought forward in a rush in a desperate effort to avoid the hikoi which is currently marching on Wellington. But the Prime Minister won’t be there for it – he’s literally running away to Peru! But he ...1 week ago
- 97% of submissions did not want no-cause evictions, Trump chooses a Russian spy for US Intelligence ...
Good morning, and I’m sorry I’ve been away for a couple of days.I’ve been focusing on the Hikoi, and also testing out sentiment on the Treaty Principles Bill. It’s complicated, and the Treaty Principles Bill will be debated in the House today. The Government’s own lawyers have told them the ...1 week ago - Government must vote down ACT Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to vote down an ACT Party Members Bill that would undermine workers’ rights by making it easier for employers to fire workers. Last week ACT MP Laura Trask’s Employment Relations (Termination of Employment by Agreement) Amendment Bill was ...1 week ago
- Seymour causes thousands of unjustified absences by forcing kids to fight for their rights instead o...
The State would like to remind you that they are in control. They manage your employment prospects, and can destroy the job market you and yours rely on by mass-cancelling construction projects, cutting funding, and firing a good chunk of our public servants. They wield the mechanisms that provide scrutiny ...1 week ago - The Weight of the World
As the weight of the world Hangs on your shoulders The weight of the world Starts to take over again And over again All that you once loved, now you hate So slowly relearn how to meditate To have and to hold And never let go Can you feel it ...1 week ago - Thursday 14 November 2024
The Treaty Principles Bill is set to have its First Reading in the House today, as the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti continues. More than 40 KCs have written to the Prime Minister and Attorney-General outlining their “grave concerns” about the substance of the Treaty Principles Bill, while an academic and ...1 week ago
- Trump’s return to White House brings the climate’s ‘find out’ phase closer
As we absorb the news of Trump's victory in the US Presidential election, here’s a wrap compiled just before the result of what it might mean for climate action: The UN Secretary General says the prospective departure of the United States would cripple the Paris Agreement, likening it to the ...1 week ago
- Time and Space in the City Centre
Patrick Reynolds is deputy chair of the City Centre Advisory Panel. The header image is from Walthamstow, London The city centre now has a few stretches of street where the space has been repurposed to a people and place focused design from full time traffic use. These are a great ...1 week ago
- An opportunity for a pro-growth tax switch
As the Hikoi against it swells into the tens of thousands, KCs call on National to kill off ACT’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. Photo: Getty ImagesKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, November 14: The ...1 week ago - Dealing to the big Aussie banks
The big question hovering over the Select Committee Inquiry into banking is what the Government will do with its findings. If yesterday’s hearing is anything to go by there is a tidal wave of discontent about the four big Australian Banks crashing through the Committee which may force it to ...1 week ago
- 20 fact briefs published in collaboration with Gigafact!
In April 2024 we announced the (renewed) collaboration between Gigafact and Skeptical Science to create fact briefs, short but credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. Our initial plan had been to publish one fact brief per week on Saturdays but - as happens ...1 week ago
- Instead of axing the HRC, ACT corruptly installed a racist, transphobic “Gay Human Rights Commissi...
On November 5th, the Spinoff published a very interesting article on Stephen Rainbow, the Human Rights Commission’s latest recruitment, and how he came to get the controversial appointment. Naturally because of the excitement of the US election, it’s flown a little below the radar. https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/05-11-2024/i-didnt-get-the-hrc-job-stephen-rainbows-human-rights-commission-appointment-just-got-weirderThe article details evidence of the ...1 week ago - Injustice for torture
Between 1950 and 1993 the New Zealand government tortured and abused up to 250,000 children in residential care facilities. Yesterday, following formal findings from a royal commission, it finally apologised for that abuse. The next step is redress and restitution - compensating the surviving victims for the appalling harm they ...1 week ago
- Voices echo
1 week ago - Hīkoi over the Harbour
Kia mau ra, kia mau raKi te mana motuhakeMe te arohaHold fast, hold fastTo your sovereigntyAnd to love and compassionLyrics: Hīrini Melbourne. “Ngā Iwi E passionately calls for unity among the peoples of the Pacific, a cause deeply cherished by Melbourne himself.”I sat at my desk this morning and thought ...1 week ago
- NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...10 hours ago - Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...11 hours ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...12 hours ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...13 hours ago - Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...13 hours ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...15 hours ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...15 hours ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...18 hours ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...18 hours ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...19 hours ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...1 day ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...1 day ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...1 day ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...1 day ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...4 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...11 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...12 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...12 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...13 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...13 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...14 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...15 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...16 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...16 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...18 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...21 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...1 day ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...2 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...2 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...4 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...5 hours ago - NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...7 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...7 hours ago - The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...8 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...9 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...9 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...10 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...10 hours ago
- New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...10 hours ago
- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...11 hours ago
- 7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...11 hours ago
- Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...11 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...11 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...11 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...11 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...11 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...12 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...12 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...13 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...14 hours ago
- In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...14 hours ago
- ‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways
Ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa, the acclaimed British journalist, podcaster and documentarian talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about why people are still fascinated by the fringes. The last place I would expect to find Jon Ronson is relaxing in the countryside. The iconic British journalist and writer is best known ...14 hours ago - Kia kaha Lebanon: NZ media only tell half your story of struggle
The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution — for the fourth time — in Israel’s war on Gaza, while Hezbollah demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any deal with Israel. Amid the death and devastation, Joe Hendren reflects on his time in ...15 hours ago
- ‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews
The acclaimed New Zealand drama has just premiered on TV in the United Kingdom, and the five-star reviews are already flowing in. Six months after it was called a “blistering” “tour de force” by Australian critics, and nearly a year since The Spinoff declared it the best drama New Zealand ...15 hours ago
- Drugs are getting cheaper and easier to find in Aotearoa
New Zealanders are drinking and smoking less, but most other recreational drugs are becoming cheaper, more popular and more available, two new reports show. Two significant new surveys about drugs in Aotearoa were released this week, offering a rare insight into New Zealanders’ choice of substances, which ones are becoming ...15 hours ago
- COP29: ‘climate finance’ for the Pacific is mostly loans, saddling small island nations with mor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Ratuva, Director, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury Lenora Qereqeretabua, the deputy speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, at the COP29 climate summit. IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis, CC BY-SA As this year’s UN climate summit reaches its final stage of negotiations, Pacific ...16 hours ago
- Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed
The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but it’s also proof that bigger isn’t always better, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund. Contains minor spoilers for Wicked. There’s no doubt that Wicked is going to be huge. No other pop culture event this year, save from maybe Charli XCX’s Brat, has ...16 hours ago
- Dame Jacinda Ardern to be given United Nations leadership award
She will get the champion for global change award from the United Nations Foundation at a ceremony in New York tomorrow. ...17 hours ago
- NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand
Analysis: NZ is lifting what was supposed to be a permanent ban on live animal exports. But it’s not the lucrative industry it once was. The post NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand appeared first on Newsroom. ...18 hours ago - Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging
There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence, rather than a subcategory of psychological abuse, to bring it in line with the United Kingdom and Australia. Economic harm – restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, ...18 hours ago
- Downside Risks To Treasury’s Economic And Fiscal Forecasts
New Zealand is currently running a structural fiscal deficit, with expenditure exceeding revenue. Economic growth falling short of expectations has been making it harder for the Government to bring the books back into balance. ...18 hours ago
- Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities. Fixing this benefits everyone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordan Peter Anthony Pitt, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (Faculty of Science), University of Sydney An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous ...19 hours ago
- Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Cricket originated in England, but has been spread worldwide by British soldiers and settlers in the past few hundred years. It is now the second most popular sport in ...19 hours ago
- Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast Mladen Zivkovic/Shutterstock As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew ...19 hours ago
- Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Morgan Hughes, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma ...19 hours ago
- Overwhelmed by ever more clothing donations, charities are exporting the problem. Local governments ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yassie Samie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University anna.spoka/Shutterstock What happens to your clothes after you don’t want them any more? Chances are, you will donate them to op shops run by a charity organisation. There are more ...19 hours ago
- Friendly fire: a nuclear push by allies at COP29 poses a sticky problem for Albanese
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t see this coming. At the global COP29 climate talks in Baku, the Australian government was indirectly criticised by two allies, the United States and the ...19 hours ago
- Nugget Is Dead brings queer love, multiculturalism and Aussie flair to the Christmas movie formula
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology Julia Firak Stan’s new Christmas film Nugget is Dead is a colourful production that follows the rules of the seasonal genre film to a tee – with an Aussie ...19 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?
My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad’s feelings are still my problem? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera My parents recently announced their separation. This in itself isn’t a problem. I’ve already gone through this once before in my early childhood, so ...19 hours ago
- New Zealand Drops In Global Ranking On Climate Action
If the government won’t hold polluters to account, then people will. People are increasingly taking to the streets and the courtrooms, putting their bodies on the line to shut down polluting industries. This will only escalate further unless New ...19 hours ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
How exactly are you impacted by the fact that Bill Gates is amazingly wealthy?
How has he stopped you accumulating wealth?
yes. locking up Windows and driving profits from the monopoly, and given the wealth was create due to public taxation, the internet, microprocessors, even software patentsheld back innovation…
Are you arguing that we’d have even more innovation and wealth without Windows?
Very likely – it was an inferior copy of Claris (which was probably a copy of something else).
Very likely? That to me suggest you don’t know. The fact is we’ve had probably the greatest technological leap forward in human history over the past 30 years much of it driven by the products and services provided by Microsoft such as Windows. If Microsoft was deliberately restricting innovation it hasn’t been doing a very good job of that.
You’re looking in the wrong place for innovation. Microsoft, like most large companies, wasn’t using innovation as a competitive strategy when it made the sad copy of Claris called Windows. Microsoft’s innovation was DOS; that made them their money , and gave them the market share they used to stifle competition thereafter.
You are one of these people who seems to think that because they have stumbled on to an interesting fact (in this case that Windows was based on another operating system at the start) it suddenly means that they have a handle on the entire area this involves. In short you are overestimating your knowledge in this area.
You seem to imagine that your narrowness of vision entitles you to make encyclopedic statements when in fact the paucity of your knowledge exposes you at every turn.
To put it simply, you are so poorly informed that you mistook Microsoft for an innovative company, but it seems, too egotistical to learn from the experience.
As for your “Very likely? That to me suggest you don’t know. ”
Since that is not what happened of course we’ll never know – I’m not about to adopt your godlike level of hubris and state hypotheticals categorically.
You seem to think that because Microsoft has used other technologies and ideas in the past as a basis for their own this means it is not an innovative business nor that it’s ideas have transformed how we do things for the better. That is plainly ridiculous notion. Thomas Edison based many of his patents on existing ideas or inventions. That does not mean we didn’t benefit enormously from what he did do.
You chose a pretty invidious comparison – Tesla benefitted us much more than Edison, who, like Gates, was entirely self-serving.
Microsoft is not an innovative business because it is a slow follower, not an innovator. Because it developed market dominance from its DOS monopoly it was able to delay the introduction of windows-like software until some years after it was widespread elsewhere.
Monopolies always act against consumer interests and Microsoft is no exception – it maintains artificial price levels and stifles innovation – that’s its business model.
Someone who professes to know as much about economics as you ought to be cognizant of the negative features of monopolies.
Tesla failed to commercialise his inventions effectively. In that way he didn’t benefit us much at all. Edison on the other hand was brilliant at turning ideas in to a commercial reality.
Oh – it seems you’re as ignorant of Tesla as you are of Gates.
Tesla gave us AC, without which most of our electrical development would never had happened. Edison did his best to ruin Tesla because he knew that next to him he was a hack.
You missed my point. I stated Tesla was not very good at commercialising his inventions and in THAT way he did not benefit us much at all. I am sure his ideas and inventions have provided some other person with benefits though.
Tesla benefitted us plenty.
We would not have benefited more had Tesla commercialized his innovations more – commerce as often slows and delays technological adoption as it advances it. But if Edison had been more collegial Tesla might have survived to gift us with rather more.
Stuart is right. Tesla, in partnership with a chap called Westinghouse, was the one who moved the electricity supply industry forward. Edison was too wedded to a system of supply based on DC. Westinghouse was the businessman who commercialized Tesla’s ideas.
Are you stating that someone commercialised someone else’s work and we all benefited as a result mikesh?
If so, then thanks for reiterating my point.
Microsoft is not an innovative business because it is a slow follower, not an innovator. Because it developed market dominance from its DOS monopoly it was able to delay the introduction of windows-like software until some years after it was widespread elsewhere.
there’s this computer called the mac
it’s from a pretty underground little company
you probably haven’t heard of it
Gatesy is a rent seeker, pure and simple.
If there was a better product or would win. That simple in IT
Not so.
Microsoft bought out the competition in phones and replaced it with an inferior product.
Not the only time.
US firms compete by removing competition or tying them up in lawsuits.
Not by innovating.
Actually Gates bought the right to an inferior operating system devised in a hurry by Tim Patterson to test the then new Intel 8086 chip . He called it QDOS “Quick and Dirty Operating System”. Gates sexed it up a bit, and on sold it to IBM who labelled it MS.DOS. His achievement wasn’t actually in the development of the system but in the marketing.
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/history-of-dos-2011-7?r=US&IR=T#the-story-of-dos-begins-with-tim-paterson-1
Microsoft were, are, driven by profit. Are you arguing they didn’t use their market dominance? Against shareholder interests! Really, first time in history. Even if they were so sainted, their still suffer from the priesthood paradox, that any dogmatic self centered body of knowledge, would invariable favor those in the priesthood. While those locked into their vision were hampered… …its just unbelievable that an initial position would they could do no harm, did no harm. The mere fact of their dominance was harmful to any open society.
Increasing profit is generally in the interests of Shareholders.
..And.. not necessarily in the interests of consumers or software developers. Anyway we live in a open society, closed source by its very nature sucks out the oxygen of progress.
You’re not a serious commentator, Gosman…
And the article is about an ideology made up of systems which emables those such as Gates, to amass unecessary fortunes…
Gates is a symptom of the problem…
I am arguing that the idea that because Bill Gates is fabulously wealthy that somehow impacts YOU is a false belief. Bill Gates wealth has limited impact on you either positively or negatively.
What is the purpose of your position?
How does it map into the premise of the article?
How does your position on Gates add any value to the discussion?
Bill Gates wealth was being used as an example of how Capitalism is failing. It is at the core of the argument that is being made. If Bill Gates wealth is bnot an issue then Capitalism is not causing the issues the author of the post thinks it is causing.
Gosman your limited capacity for cogent thinking is on display once again…
If your view is so narrow that you can’t fit ‘gates’ into the articles wider narrative…
Well…I would not be surprised…
The article is spot on!
Now answer my questions before you ask any more yourself…or dont respond…
I asnwered your question about where Bill gates fits in to the discussion. If you have a problem with my answer then discuss that.
“Gates says he pays his personal taxes. Great. But he made all that money from Microsoft which, like other tax-avoiding technology giants such as Amazon, Facebook and Google, uses sophisticated systems to shift paper profits around the planet and evade the designs of governments. Indeed, so extreme are its methods the company was used as a case study in a Senate investigation into US corporate tax avoidance, which found one example of offshoring profits through a tiny Puerto Rico office alone saved it $4m a day in taxes.
Moving earnings through low corporation tax countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg and Singapore means the company saved itself, according to one estimate, almost £3bn annually in tax. A Harvard law professor pointed out that Microsoft’s divisions in three low-tax nations employed fewer than 2,000 people, but supposedly recorded about £9.4bn of pre-tax profit in 2011 – more than the 88,000 employees working in all its other global divisions.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/06/bill-gates-preaches-fighting-poverty-hypocrite-microsoft-tax
Bill Gates tax avoidance policies at Microsoft have a direct impact on the American people. Take one small example..that $4m a day tax saving and put that in to Health Care.
https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/microsoft-transfers-ownership-its-nz-business-bermuda-ck-204010
What happens with the profits that Microsoft makes as result of avoiding taxes?
What do you think happens with them?
They get paid out to the owners of the Shares who then pay tax on it.
Yeah right.
What do you mean “Yeah right”? That is how it goes. If you own Shares in a company and that company makes a profit then you usually receive a dividend payment that counts towards your income which you have to pay tax on. The only time you wouldn’t do this is if the company decides to retain the profit for some reason. They can’t do this forever though and also the share price normally goes up as a result and therefore the owners pay tax on the increased value where they sell shares. What part of that do you not understand?
It’s calculated as capital gains which is why options trading is the game to play in north America. Shares are only taxable if you sell them. Even my little girls know this.
Yeah, when the capital gain is turned in to cash and becomes income it is taxed. That is exactly what I stated.
You do know about all the games played by shareholders in big firms, don’t you?
Ever heard of the Cayman Islands?
Not to mention all the carve outs the US oligarchy use to avoid taxes.
If you have evidence Bill Gates is using tax havens to reduce his tax liability then present it. He claims he pays all his tax though.
Fill your boots Gossy.
References are in the article.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/06/bill-gates-preaches-fighting-poverty-hypocrite-microsoft-tax
Ummm… that article accepts he DOES pay his fair share of income tax.
Jeezus, you’re really thrashing the standard like an adolescent boy thrashes the porn hub.
Ok so there’s two basic models of international taxation that you need to pay attention too.
1. The worldwide model in which it doesn’t matter where the money is made its taxed. So if a company did business in both the US and another country all of its profits would be taxed. However to alleviate the burden of double taxation, the US would issue corporate tax credits would off set the additional burden.
2. The territorial model is where you only tax the profits made in country of origin. In this model which is found in most countries you only tax the revenue in your country. Under this model if a foreign company did business in the US, only the US operations would be taxed.
The US Tax Policy is a blended model. The US will tax all the earnings of US based corporations no matter where they get the revenue from. However if they do have “earnings” that were subject to double taxation, they will offset tax credits to alleviate the loss. However the US will NOT tax the earnings of a US Corporation wholly owned foreign subsidiary, but if the subsidiary brings the money into the US, then the money will be taxed as income.
Off course trump changes the calculus so it helps it you can do tax free hand. Also find it extremely funny you would go to a foreign owned newspaper for an opinion on another countries tax system.
Sophistry.
What little is left to pay after fiddling his company tax, you mean.
You miss the whole point. It doesn’t matter if the company tax is being fiddled. The increased profits will eventually get taxed as income when it is distributed to the owners of the company. Bill Gates is not avoiding paying his income tax.
Not if you privatise taxes through philanthropy and foundations. I mean how many times do you need to be told that trickle down economics, that gratifying rich people’s nut sacks doesn’t improve the majorities living standards.
What point do you have.
The point is millions, if not billions, are being removed from local economies, by multinationals like MS, and their owners.
With millions, and Microsoft case billions, untaxed.
They are not taxed when it is distributed to the owners of the shares. Because the big shareholders tax domicile is a tax haven.
Even fools, like you, know how that works.
Why the fuck do you think the asset strippers and dodgy finance company owners, from New Zealand in the 80’s, moved to Ireland. Because the climate was better?
Which is why the bridges in the USA are collapsing, and public education cannot afford teachers.
But. According to you , that does not cost a country, anything!
I don’t know how else to let you know this but I’ll try using an example.
Imagine if Microsoft made 1 Billion dollars of Profit last year (I know it is on the low side but for the purposes of this example it should suffice).
If they weren’t clever they would pay company tax on that amount of say 25%. However they utilise complex tax arrangements and manage to reduce the tax to say 10%. This means the Government receives 100 million rather than 250 million. and the profit after tax that they made goes up from 750 million to 900 million.
They decide to pay out this profit to their shareholders. Bill Gates say owns 40% of the company. He therefore receives 360 million dollars from the profit.
The top tax rate in the US is 37% on income above $500,000. 360,000,000 minus 500,000 is 359,500,000. 37% of 359,500,000 is 133,015,000. So just from Bill Gates income alone the government has received almost as much tax as they lost as a result of Microsoft avoiding taxes.
If the other shareholders are based in the same country and pay personal taxes like Bill Gates then the government will receive more from taxes as a result (given the fact that the top rate of income tax is usually higher than the company tax rate).
You don’t need to instruct me about company taxes.
I know perfectly well how it works.
You never heard of the Cayman islands, obviously.
Or the many many ways multinationals, and their shareholders. reduce and hide tax. Most of them are legal. The result of the wealthy owning the Government.
Or the companies negotiating for a big reduction in tax, on their profits, so they can bring them back to the USA and distribute them. To shareholders that have many legal ways to pay little tax.
1.6 trillion, apparently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companies_of_the_United_States_with_untaxed_profits
Confirming my, point, which you are trying to wriggle around, that the control by monopoly capitalism, is destroying Democracy, the environment, and the future of humanity.
Bill Gates doesn’t avoid personal taxes. That is not in dispute. You are arguing the fact Microsoft does somehow impacts the overall tax take. I have shown you why that is not the case in regard to Bill Gates.
OK. I will go there.
Bill Gates personally adds to his wealth, from New Zealand by selling products. With inflated additions to the price, rent, for “intellectual property” most of which were developed by his staff, and the US State, not him!
Removing money from our community. Which could have gone to NZ businesses, and local communities.
Innovation in IT, is stifled by MS patents, also removing money.
Then MS buys up and removes potential competition, further stifling innovation.
Personally to me. MS, bought out and closed down the best cell phone operating system, at the time. Losing me a lot of time and money replacing it.
At the same time he contributes no taxes, or benefit to New Zealand, other than a standardized operating system, which was originally enabled by US Government research, and endless repairs of half baked products, which we pay for..
Your understanding of economics is very limited from that analysis. Microsoft does not force NZ individuals or firms to use their software or services (Despite what some people think). People are voluntarily deciding to use the software because they see it provides a benefit to them. If a NZ firm could provide a similar or better product and service then they would likely be doing so. The fact they aren’t suggests Microsoft does it better. NZ is not losing money. the individual or firm deciding to purchase the Microsoft product or service is using their money in the best way they see fit. It is no different to a Chinese individual or company deciding to purchase milk powder from NZ. Do you think that is harming China?
New Zealand is not losing money?
FIFY.
It extracts the attention of large sectors of society to cater to utterly pointless things like superyachts, private jets, boudoir tapestry advisers not to mention loan restructures and tax avoiders. Effort that could be better spent on, I dunno, things that are useful to more than just one rich-o.
I can’t think of a single non-capitalist country that didn’t cannibalise humans and human rights. You must face up to that if you start trying to decouple human flourishing from some form of free-flowing trade (whether you call that a kind of capitalism or not is up to you).
But wait: Cuba!
Cuba of course is the ideological heart of Venezuela, having propped their previous ruler up for ages.
Cuba has now even had the temerity to propose a new Constitution.
After 70 years it is daring to impose terms limits on the president.
It’s also proposing to recognise a right to own private property again for the first time since the 1959 revolution.
It also contains references to markets and foreign investments.
And, wait for it, you might now even get a right to legal representation upon arrest.
The new Constitution names the Communist Party the “supreme political force of state and society”.
And of course opposition parties are still banned.
And no chance of free media to debate it either.
And it sure ain’t a place to be gay.
The draft constitution went out last year, and it will of course pass – because this is no country to voice dissent against official directives.
Maybe some on the hard left still think all of the above is worth sacrificing in order to have a total alternative away from capitalism.
Personally I prefer to vote, comment on alternative blogs, dissent, be represented in court, join whatever political group I want, and otherwise have the right to tell the state to fuck off out of my life.
What this alternative to capitalism did was cannibalise the souls of people, force them in to mediocrity, and rule over them with total autocracy.
And then of course there’s the Cuban environment. Deforested, though struggling back – just like many capitalist countries. The managers of Cuba’s large state farms thought mainly about production – with only slightly better results than Soviet Russia in the 1950s. Even the increasing use of pesticides since 1959 was still listed in the mid-1980s as one of the achievements of the Cuban revolution.
And there was still a current that saw agro-ecology as driven by the sentimental nostalgia of urban intellectuals for a picturesque past that they had never been burdened with. Communism didn’t cause a better approach to ecology and the environment – but its global collapse helped.
Still, if you want an alternative to capitalism that is a bit further out than a firm version of social democracy, well, Cuba Libre.
Why did I know we would get shouts of Cuba, or Venezuela.
Even though I never mentioned imposing any form of totalitarianism.
Or even communism.
70% of Venezuala’s economy is private. More than the USA. Hardly socialist.
My preference as you may have seen if you actually read the post, is a steady state, mostly free, market, democratically regulated so that capitalists are good citizens.
Currently we are ruled by corporations and their owners. How is that better than Democracy?
Whether that can be made compatible with a functioning environment, remains to be seen.
Certainly the present concentration, of power and wealth, is incompatible with a human future.
A viable alternative will not look like Cuba. I suspect it will look more like NZ in the 60’s.
You failed to mention any alternative system at all, so you got what you failed to do.
You need to have a good hard look at the amount of agency you have in your life before you bemoan being ruled by corporations. Have a chat with Robert Guyton any given Sunday and you get some idea. Left melancholy is boring. Stop being borning.
Do you have any idea what we did to the environment in New Zealand in the 1960s?
Or to gays, women, Maori?
Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.
Ad, your comment has too many fallacies to bother addressing them all..
Except to say that your wild deflections, are unsubstantiated…which is the purpose of defelection…
And you’ve completely missed the tone of the article…
The concept of steady state is incompatible with a market economy.
We’ll then Gosman we have a problem.
However Japan seems to be coping with a low or no growth economy.
Japan is very far away from a Steady state economy. It’s growth has been low not zero over the past 5 to 10 years.
What I said.
Are you advocating a future based on the Japanese economy over the past 20 years?
That would certainly be an improvement on the gross mismanagement perpetrated upon us by the crazed neoliberal ideologues of Treasury.
No. Merely mentioned one country that appears to be coping with low growth, as an example of the possibility.
Japan has been trying to break out of the low growth funk it has been in.
human will always concentrate power in people they trust, all nations whether left or right, will inevitably fall to elites. It’s when those elites believe in something bigger… The US used to be a such a nation, now it’s bile and monied politics..
That’s what’s wrong with the neolib national party, its not about dealing to the unproductive incentives of the tax system, the way small companies sell out to hand on to their kids a windfall investment opportunity rather than growing medium to large firms, its the risk premium that banks take becuase we are over exposed to a property collapse, over exposed to money sloshing around due to owners not having CGT obligations, its the swagger of farmers who are paying a 0% CGT while their competitir aren’t. Have the debate Mr Bridges stop your rhetorical bile.
Again with this idea that we live on a planet where resources are somehow disappearing. That is simply not the case. USABLE and USEFUL resources are scarce but they have ALWAYS been scarce. That is what has constricted human development throughout history. We aren’t running out of resources though.
“We aren’t running out of resources though”.
Your most stupid statement yet.
Just a planet.
KJT,
Good post generally.
But on your comment to Gosman, you know perfectly well that he does not mean what you have stated.
What he means is the relative ability to extract resources or substitute resources. For instance copper is scarce, always has been, but we are able to always economically mine it. The reason being that newer technologies enable lower grade ores to be economically processed. On present technologies all minerals that are extracted only ever come from ores where they are concentrated.
If we had enormous amounts of energy, we would be able to extract the minerals from just about all rocks where they are present in low concentrations. In practical terms the amount of minerals would be unlimited, though obviously they are limited (at least at present) by the fact they all come from planet Earth.
When the fusion power “power in power out” equation is technically resolved we basically will have unlimited power, at least unlimited in the sense that the power source is virtually unlimited. I suspect the generating plants will be enormously expensive and complex so that will be the limiting factor on the amount of fusion power that can be generated.
Also the resources that we “use” does not generally disappear (although some of it does change form). We have approximately the same amount of it than we did before we used it. The question is whether we are able to reuse it or convert the output back in to a usable form.
Rubbish, literally. We turn good resources into plastic crap and new copies of old crap every year/season/whim. Then we dump it. We transform the natural world to rubbish.
We fill the land and oceans with the shit.
Radioactive waste. Mining, farming… Hell, we can’t even hold onto dirt.
Blathering on some nonsense about the laws of matter doesn’t matter when it’s all BS. Most everything we use changes form and is then wasted.
Never mind. The balancing is due, all those environmental and social costs you ‘movers and shakers’ ignored: gonna move ya, gonna shake ya.
You and Gosman, seem to be oblivious to, or choose to ignore, the resource limit we have reached, right now.
An atmosphere at a temperature which can sustain humanity.
Business as usual, is not a viable option.
Neither is simply loading as much as possible of the costs, on the people with lower incomes, which seems to be the Neo-liberal default setting.
Noone I can see here is arguing that business as usual should be the approach taken. The argument is overCapitalism however you aren’t even arguing for any radical change there it seems given your comment about Japan.
Are you going to join us in brainstorming solutions Gossy.
Or just going to continue to make endless bad faith circular arguments, and distractions.
Japan was merely given as an example of one aspect.
Hmmm, bit difficult locating moa feathers for my ceremonial gear, my incipient dodo collection is just that- incipient- and my supply of Tyrian purple has dried up for my imperial robes. (Emperor Mac1)
You are being very myopic on how you view resources. Moa feathers have dried up but feathers have not nor have the compounds that make up feathers. That is not even going in to alternatives to Moa feathers that have been developed (many of which are much better than the original).
Always new you are a nutter. There will always be something that is limited in resource. If consumer products are somehow unlimited, then valuables will become time, celebrities, possession of large-scale assets, human servants/employees, etc.
If you simply mean consumer products (ranging from food to technology and so on) becoming widely available to all, probably replicators and again, nutter.
No, I never stated anything about consumer products becoming widely available to all (via a replicator or any other means). I’m not sure why you think I have.
Yeah, just feathers and popicocks and other embarrassing shit. See why the mods like having you around.
I didn’t bring Feathers in to the debate. Take up your concern with Mac1
You literally stated that “Moa feathers have dried up but feathers have not nor have the compounds that make up feathers.” Then you claim this magic process has zip nothing to do with consumerism and industrialisation and now you don’t won’t to talk feathers. Just take the L gooie.
I did not bring up Moa feathers. Mac1 did. You seem to have an issue with this being discussed. Discuss your concerns with Mac1. My point was the fact that we don’t have Moa feathers anymore does not impact using resources to do similar things that we did with Moa feathers.
Yup, that’s why you are in fact a nutter with a humongous invisible L next to your handle where ever you go.
Look, I get that you have to look all brainy in front of potential religious converts by denying climate and fossil fuels are in fact engineering a climate catastrophe. I get it. I just want you to read and understand that the vast majority of people who read your stupid comments think you are damaged in the head.
I’ve never argued against the consequences of AGW. You are making stuff up about me.
You have no argument about feathers, about commercialism, you have no argument about industrialisation, you have no argument about capitalism. Now you claim not to be against AGW, great. Now concede.
I did not bring up moa feathers. You can’t get them let alone try to ingest them, Have you tried to eat feathers? That’s why you bring them up.
I am told, though, that salmon are fed on ground chicken, feathers and all. They then add dyes to the otherwise grey salmon meat to make it a nice pink! Yum!
“• Farmed salmon are fed pellets made out of fish oil and smaller fish, ground-up chicken feathers, poultry litter (yes, that’s poop), genetically modified yeast, soybeans and chicken fat.”
I am not a vegan or vegetarian. I just, before researching and writing this, bought 300 gms of lovely pink salmon slices to be served on toast triangles with horseradish sauce.
Hmmm
That’s ironic coming from you, Sam. How many days has it been since your parole?
Was under the impression the most annoying mod in all of mod history handed me a permanent ban. It’s all pretty intriguing if not manipulative. Could just be a glitch.
Whether it’s a ‘glitch’ depends on you mostly, I have a feeling. It’s not my place to explain; way above my pay grade …
Still feeling this really strong meh trying to get out. People over my lifetime who are on less than $72k, or even less, often try and tell me what to do. Quiet amusing really.
Reading between the lines is obviously not your strongest point. Let me give you a hint: advice.
What you do with it is entirely up to you, e.g. you could take it to heart and use it wisely or ignore it and face the consequences.
Bye for now.
Yeah, every time I forget about why normies got to norm I take a quick read of this https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11112017/#comment-1413002
Then it all comes back like some South Park episode.
“We aren’t running out of resources though.” – Gosman.
Ah Gosman, you brilliant sizzling sausage, humanity’s little problem solver.
With that single statement you’ve ‘fixed’ the problem of insufficient resources.
Now, what’s your fix for global warming – we literally can’t wait.
LOL.
The underlying ideology of Capitalism is one of extraction, so by extension there is no long term future for the ideology of Capitalism, well not if we really want a clean healthy planet for the future that is…but then the other big problem with capitalism is that it also extracts and then rewards many of the worst parts of human nature,
As one of it main proponents admitted this is not a good thing…
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told a House committee that the banking and housing crisis is a “once-in-a-century credit tsunami.” When asked if his ideology pushed him to make bad decisions, Greenspan said he found a “flaw” in his governing ideology that has led him to re-examine his thinking.
Solid article, KJT…
Well written…
“Capitalism is cannibalising, the human and natural environment, it needs to survive.”
Yup. Your purist level capitalists aren’t much smarter than a jar of fruit flies – they expand beyond the resource base instead of investing in growing it.
We see that pretty graphically in fisheries – a resource pyramid ultimately founded on algae. Human impacts on snapper and large crayfish have left kina unpredated. The kina in turn have browsed away the macrocystis canopy, and presumably most of the smaller algae too, creating the kina barrens that extend from most of our coasts now.
Any plans to reforest macrocystis? It’s the fastest growing carbon soak around after all. Industry hasn’t even considered it. They’ll wait for the govt to do it, all the while pretending, while producing 1% of the returns and employment of a well-managed fishery, that they are the ‘professionals’, and that any step in the direction of sustainability is bad crazy.
No one has yet found a better system for allocation of day to day resources, within a community, than a market capitalist system….which is why in 2019, in a wealthy, environmentally blessed, politically stable country like NZ we have whole families living in spare bedrooms and couch surfing, and old women living in vans and emptying their colostomy bags in public toilets…
I don’t think your examples provide enough evidence that capitalism is the issue. It seems that the governments ability to deploy the welfare programs is failing or the people who need access to the welfare programs are failing to get to them.
Ah, so Capitalism is fine its the Government and the poor who are at fault?. You’d think the spokesmen and fanboys for Capitalism, the Banks, the Employers Groups, the Capitalist Think Tanks would be on to that, telling the Government to be bigger and bolder in their Welfare programs.
You assume they haven’t been doing that. Many “Capitalist” think tanks have advocated for better welfare models.
https://nzinitiative.org.nz/reports-and-media/reports/welfare-work-and-wellbeing-from-benefits-to-better-lives/
Except the ex business round table thinks welfare is the problem, not poverty.
An obvious fallacy.
Typical of ACTiod thinking, however.
Incorrect. You obviously didn’t read that paper.
“ur system has passively fostered a self-perpetuating cycle of misery and benefit dependency. Around 15% of our children come to the authorities’ attention for abuse or neglect concerns by age 18.
The evidence is stark. Benefit-dependent parents are producing benefit-dependent children. Nearly threequarters of those on a benefit by age 25 had a parent on a benefit.
Early entry to the benefits system foreshadows long-term benefit dependence. It also indicates likely child abuse, neglect and youth justice issues. Teenage beneficiaries tend to be long-term beneficiaries. At 30 June 2016 those with this history accounted for 75% of the future fiscal cost of working age benefits. That represents 75% of $76 billion”.
The assumption made above is that welfare makes for welfare dependency. A common right wing fallacy.
Parents in poverty, produce children in poverty.
Which wasn’t the case when I was young. My parents had buggerall money. None of my family are poor, now. Because welfare and social benefits were adequate, for families to pull themselves out, before the 80’s.
But we don’t want more welfare…I don’t want more Accommodation allowances paid to prop up ‘The Market’ of housing/rentals. Or insulation subsidies to prop up other businesses (landlords) that are not fit for purpose.
And I don’t want more welfare in the form of Family Tax Credits to compensate for low wages demanded by corporate and business requirements for Profit.
And I don’t want more Welfare money put into vital services like Rape Crisis etc so they can be taken over by foreign Corporate interests.
Using ‘Welfare’ for profit..of course they want ‘better’ models…dealing with the poor and disabled..its a growth industry.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/05/company-profits-welfare-payments-society
I didn’t realise that only YOUR prescription for welfare reform were valid.
The Neo-liberal cut welfare to the bone, to force people into exploitative low wage Mcjobs, has so obviously failed, that I wonder how even, the ex business round table, has the cheek to keep proposing it.
The only way to get people out of poverty is to pay them more. Worked for me!
Except no person proposing neoliberal economic policies have EVER advocated that as a policy prescription. This is merely YOUR biased take on it. It would be like a right leaning person classifying a CGT as “Tax the rich till they bleed”.
What Neo-liberals do, and what they say they do, are two different things.
That is how they get re-elected.
It also means their opinions on mixed economies aren’t particularly useful to the discussion.
Things like the fraudulent academies that were exploiting students and in fact gaming our immigration system for profit require government intervention. But the real solution to them should be cultural rather than legal, as is the case with most for-profit scams. That’s not to say we may not throw the book at such abusers, but the intention is not to play cops and robbers with them, but that education providers are indeed that, and not scoundrels selling fake qualifications and an end run around the visa system.
You must be too young to remember the mother of all bitches, Jenny Shipley.
Oh that’s so classic Gosman..I had originally posted my comment using the phrase “We don’t”…but then I thought to myself, some nob like Gosman will come on and say “Don’t say ‘we'”…. note to self…don’t try and second guess one’s betters…
Yes. That is ‘welfare’ for everyone, but the poor.
A feature of Neo-Liberalism.
Then they wonder why “welfare” is not working?
Much as I too like to blame the neo liberals for our current predicament..Its been this way since the birth of Capitalism. ‘Welfare’ is just another policy designed to serve the interests of the few. To quote Chomsky quoting Adam Smith..
“So, yes, in that sense capitalism actually works to undermine democracy. But what has just been described — that is, the vicious cycle of concentration of power and wealth — is so traditional that it is even described by Adam Smith in 1776. He says in his famous Wealth of Nations that, in England, the people who own society, in his days the merchants and the manufacturers, are “the principal architects of policy.” And they make sure that their interests are very well cared for, however grievous the impact of the policies they advocate and implement through government is on the people of England or others.”
From WW2, right up until the 80’s in New Zealand, we had an effective State housing system as well as education, health care and an adequate welfare backstop for all.
Poverty was almost non existent when was growing up, and it was possible for kids from poor homes to get into training and good jobs.
This system wasn’t broken enough for the neo-Liberals to burgle.
So they had to fix that fault.
I identified the problem in the post.
Not enough socialism in our current mix.
Good article KJT,
Capitalism only succeeds when others are made economic slaves to the ideology that they will only succeed to become rich when the capitalist establishment succeeds.
They always use the hackneyed terms like the term “trickle down” theory, and that is the one they falsely use in their folly.
Capitalism = wholesale exploitation.
Who uses terms like “trickle down” ? The main people I know who do this is left wingers attacking Capitalism.
Most right wingers I know use empirical data to back up their view that Capitalism benefits the greatest number of people compared to other systems.
Gosman speaks rubbish,
Capitalism caused the the 1929 depressions and all recessions we have suffered right though our history and also the 2008 GFC through rorting and extortion.
Read your history, and don’t forget to buy your new glasses as you miss reading other posts properly.
You quoted me referring to ‘Socialists’ when i did nothing of the sort I referred to ‘Global’.
At 4.3 see there.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-25-02-2019/
I will accept your apology.
Why did you post anything about Globalists on a post about Venezuela?
Gosman
You are just avoiding the issue here.
The problem you have is that you only talk rubbish and nothing of value to us all.
Find another hobby,
Capitalist forever you are for sure.
No, you attempted to derail my comment about Venezuela by bringing in an irrelevant point about global debt levels. You also seem to be doing something similar here. The real question is why do you want to do that?
Haha, that’s a good one Gos.
I guess your synapses have already made room for more shit and discarded all memory of your ‘trickle-down’ attempted derailment BS at the beginning of the thread.
Why are you doing any of this, what’s more to the question?
Only if it is mixed with socialism.
Pure capitalist countries, are the most miserable on earth.
True that is KJT
“Pure capitalist countries, are the most miserable on earth.”
Gosman.
A hell of a lot of the reaction, including your own, to taxing wealth with a CGT, proves that ” trickle down” is alive and well in the right wing DNA
What is my reaction to the proposed CGT ? I don’t believe I’ve made much comment about it.
In truth, no one really cares about how you react, gooie. I like trolling you, I really do, but I like the truth even more. And the truth is private ownership isn’t going anywhere in New Zealand while the treaty is in place.
If KJT didn’t care why did they reference my opinion on the topic?
If? There is no way for me to prove that, and kind of stupid for you to try and get me to prove that. Really stupid.
Apparently you DO know what everyone thinks here because this is what you posted “In truth, no one really cares about how you react…”. If you seemingly know how everyone thinks you should be able to answer my question specifically about KJT. Unless you now admit you don’t know how everyone thinks and are just making it up.
Let’s say that you make a claim about laughing by posting a laughing emoji. How on earth am I meant to prove that you actually laughed out loud. It’s total nonsense. You, gooie, are total nonsense. Now concede.
How do you know no one really cares about how I react Sam?
Because no one can prove that you have emotions unless they are sitting there watching you laugh with a camera or something. It’s like who cares, now concede.
You haven’t explained how YOU know noone cares about how I react.
Your arguments are arse. No one can prove a negative.
Yeah Sam, I bet Gooie can find someone who cares what he thinks; Shadders, BM, and his Mum at least.
Several.
Not lots.
Was it Shadracks turn?
Empirical data shows a mix of socialist and capitalist policies work.
Pure, Capitalism, has been even less successful, than totalitarian communism.
What example of pure Capitalism are you offering up? I hope you don’t try the intellectually lazy option of Somalia.
Honduras. Haiti. West Virginia. Post Soviet Russia.
Iraq.
No doubt you will counter with “the intellectually lazy option” of Venezuela.
Soon to be a concrete example of right wing dictatorship, increasing poverty and corruption. Just like the other 80 odd countries where the USA has bought “Democracy”.
None of those countries are examples of pure Capitalism. Every one of them has quite major State involvement in the economy.
More Sophistry.
Close to “pure” capitalism when the roads only get mended if someone does it for coins from passing drivers.
The State, in Russia, is a bunch of unregulated thieves. The libertarian dream.
That isn’t pure capitalism. That is only YOUR definition of it. Do you want me to tie Socialism to what happened in Eastern Europe between 1945 and 1990?
About as pure as you can get.
I know a few Russians.
The ones that live in Russia, reckon at least you got paid, fed and housed, under the Soviets. You had to keep your mouth shut or you got incarcerated. That hasn’t changed. The number of people in poverty, has.
Government by corporate crooks.
The point is, the closer a country gets towards “pure” capitalism the more of a disaster it becomes.
Democratic socialist countries are doing fine, until they get the Neo-Liberal religion..
Having a corrupt government is not pure capitalism. In fact reducing the influence of government BECAUSE it inclines to corruption is pure capitalism.
That’s not what the Father of capitalism, Adam Smith said about capitalism. Reckoned classical liberals otherwise known as conservitives where dead set against concentrations of corporate power because they viewed it as a return to feudalism. This coming from the guy who brought about capitalism.
Nothing to do with reducing the influence of Democracy, in Government, because it interferes with corporate, corruption. Eh, Gossy?
“Pure”capitalists love Government.
So long as they do what they are told.
Hence the enthusiast support of the Nazi’s, from US industrialists.
Short answer is no, humanity and the planet do not have a future with capitalism.
The extreme moneybags will never curtail their activities voluntarily, or learn to share with others.
The ‘tendency for the rate of profit to fall over time’ as described by Marx and Engels, means a constant chasing of “growth”, ramping up of exploitation, increased corporate concentration and monopolisation, and finance capital shifting digital funds around.
NZ has thousands of small businesses in hock to Finance Capital aka banks, the operators petit bourgeois “be your own boss” fantasies are another political obstacle in this country to removing the 30 year neo liberal experiment, that sees 50% of New Zealanders owning just 2% of the wealth with little or no assets and savings.
Political change will come, necessitated by AI and the end of full time paid work for many–but can it possibly come in time to save our only home?
There is a future for the free market that is truly free in the way that one may go to a farmers market and get the best deal for eggs and tomatoes.
And like anything good, it has to be regulated for the benefit of all of society.
You would never get a Central Committee having complete control over economic flow and relationships coming up with an iPhone or my Huawei p20 Pro (a flippin fantastic phone). But these two products also demonstrate the drawbacks of the market —the tendency towards monopolisation. But monopolisation can be good thing in some respects, for example consistent industry standards. Microsoft is a case in point. Imagine if the designer of say, an engineering finite element software package had to design for multitude of different platforms, instead of just one (many will just simply ignore the mac operating system)
Not sure what the solution is, but presidents as early as Roosevelt (the first one) and Wilson struggled with this problem – instead of our lives being governed by a central committee they are governed by corporations and big pharma (the latter is going to be of increasing daily relevance to thousands of sick New Zealanders).
We all need to revisit Marx and read him carefully for the solutions. And perhaps look to the example of China (and I’m being completely serious).
I don’t think Marx is the answer – at least, not without substantial revision and modification. Marx was a man of his time and place, both of which have passed (like him). Instead, there are a number of later progressive thinkers (not all within the Marxist tradition, although some of them are) proposing a range of possible alternatives to neoliberal dogma. Some of these ideas will be good, others bad, but no one, anywhere, can deliver utopia, including Uncle Karl and his progeny. The yearning for utopian solutions (“the best is the enemy of the good”) is a clear pathway to loss and suffering. It is also the antithesis of freedom and liberty (goals to which lefties, like me, should pay more attention).
China’s one party communist government is the most powerful non-western state and even there economy is dependant on every one else running capitalist democracies so they have client states with which to trade resources and feed 1.5 billion people. So currently there is no natural force against capitalism and it’s unlikely to materialise until the “Great Modern Age Collapse” like the Great Bronze Age Collapse before.
Capitalism is part of the answer and a necessary stage towards the evolution of a socialist society. For its time capitalism was a progressive force, in mobilising industry and developing technology. The vibrant and energetic capitalist countries imperialised the world bringing great suffering, but also progress, both technological and social. Slavery was abolished and also in many cases feudalism. That was a positive thing – after all who would want a return of footbinding or Sati? But there was also gross exploitation of foreign peoples that continues today and at home the means production are concentrated in the hands of a few. Nevertheless the enormous profits brought about by the exploitation of the rest of the world enabled the Western capitalists to buy off their own workers and provide them with a relatively comfortable standard of living. With the independence and then rise of non-Western countries, particularly China, and to a lesser extent India, a huge pool of poor people was opened up to compete with the privileged working class in the West. But nonetheless it allowed these countries to bootstrap their industry and means of production and has enabled the economic centre to shift towards the east. The next step is for countries like China to return to socialism and use this wealth to benefit all (which they have by all measures been quite successful in).
Two things that in aware of that’s driving the rise of Chinese power. 1) Indonesian moves to get the bomb back in the 90’s sent China into a defence industry expansion. 2) Himalayan glacial melt, once gone 100s of millions of Chinese lose ability to irrigate agricultural land and drinking water. One is gone and stopped being a threat while unrestrained industrialisation continues to be a threat against the continued existence of humanity. Definitely state power faces anhihalation but as individuals to survive the crushing limits of population decline has to be limited to 2000 people just to maintain genetic diversity. I mean with all the wonders of the western world we’d have to be pretty low on the IQ scale to allow the population to dip below 2000.
It seems to me, given recent events, that the “Western Capitalist States” are dependent on China.
Watch New Zealand and the UK, backtracking frantically, because China is sneezing.
Idk. China has a policy to lift the last 100 million Chinese above the poverty line so there’s still a shit ton of growth and they’ve got a whole bunch of Middle East and African sea ports to do it. Besides, who doesn’t want to be apart of raising a hundred million people above the poverty line. It’s just weird not being able to celebrate that.
I am certain this Labour Government
is going to be the best Government ever.
I wish I was.
Yes rata and Mark,
we hope Labour can save us as we cannot sustain ‘Capitalism’ any more as they caused the depressions and recessions and the 2008 GFC.
So now we have the most indebted Global economic crash about to hit us all we had better plan for our way out of it and your point is clear labour will need to install measures so we can start a new path forward using another way like ‘the new deal’ of our past leaders put in place before.
A man came to NZ and said “I don’t want to see New Zealanders become tenants in their own land” then he opened the country up to sell it; he was a liar and he was our last elected prime minister; – his name was John Key.
Best? Or the government that increases the cost of living the greatest?
When it comes to the Free Market capitalists say they want, on paper, it looks like a great system. The problem is it is far to open without regulation to manipulation and has been manipulated all the time by those with money.
(In economics, a free market is a system in which the prices for goods and services are determined by the open market and by consumers. In a free market the laws and forces of supply and demand are free from any intervention by a government, or by other authority.)
The problem is that a lot of so-called capitalits are actually against the free market by getting governments to put in rules in their favor to allow them to grab more of the profits. Workers joining together, for instance, to form Unions to advocate for worker’s safety and getting a fair share of the profits is the free market putting in some bargaining balance for the workers. But all the time you see a lot of big businesses using their money to try and break the unions so that they can force wages and work safety down to grab a bigger share of the profits for themselves.
Another problem too is that in making their money a lot of the time no thought is given to the environment or health of those around their business. In some third world countries where businesses have the governments in their pocket through bribery, they have polluted the environment at will and had those imprisoned or killed for trying to speak out against them because it will damage their profits if people knew.
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism…
I don’t think anyone has said this about capitalism…here is a great interview with the author on Behind the News.
http://shout.lbo-talk.org/lbo/RadioArchive/2018/18_11_29.mp3
In fact capitalism seems to pervert human sex and sexuality by of course commodifying it…just like everything beautiful it touches capitalism will eventually poison and eventually destroy it…just look at the art world today.
Capitalism or Liberalism as it is otherwise known, is just an ideology to justify sociopathy.
A world without money,
A simple idea,
Can you understand the context,
Please let me hear.
A world without money means, that mankind will finally come to the realization that every living thing has the same thing in common, Earth. Our common interest is the planet on which we stand.
Given we all are classed as humans, and are all relying on the well being of the planet for our very existence.
The planet becomes the main focus in the way we live and work. A complete change of mind-set that would leap mankind forward to a an intelligent and just future in a world free of the division of money. All life be it plant, insect or animal be of an equal footing, this means No poverty, no hunger and No economies. No war,all of that,at last, becomes the past
No products to be made that harms the environment. Strict short and long term research.
Quality engineered products
Scientific planning to avoid wasting resources.
To keep the planet healthy will require substantial manpower which means most people will be employed to that end.
Every human would receive the needs required for a comfortable healthy life. This includes leisure time and activities of their choosing, clubs of every hue will be supplied with the necessary equipment needed for such activities.For this people would be required to work at their best in whatever field their abilities are suited.
Technology would leap forward in all fields to the benefit of mankind and our planet.
A world without money, a mindset of togetherness, A world order committed to the well-being and benefit of all living things.
Money as it is and has been, does not make resources, does not invent or make things, people make things, invent things, solve problems, make technology that can benefit life of all. Money or the lack of it causes all the problems faced by the world today. For any sum of money banked or invested by anyone, means, they don’t need that money but other people are and have died from starvation or any of the multitude of problems that the lack of money brings.
Surely the human race will finally figure it out and make that monumental leap forward to a beautiful world, a world without money.
The question, or quandary then, is,
What state will the Planet be in when it happens
“The motivation behind capitalists’ is profit. Getting out more than you put in. Why start a business and take that risk, if you are going to make the same amount as you would as an employee.”
Although you have specified “capitalists” there are other reasons to start a business, possibly one of them is your own…you may wish to work in a particular field, you see a lack in the market or you may have no alternative….not every business is started with the intention of becoming wealthy, indeed many are started for a lifestyle choice….but there is much to agree with in your post, particularly the impact of large markets where it is difficult to ‘know’ those with whom you trade and their motivations.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhansen/2016/02/09/unless-it-changes-capitalism-will-starve-humanity-by-2050/?fbclid=IwAR1MUKRL7HBQF0m1YwHRXEiupVfCmoIl392b35sZAEM8WKGB7H1mFIJfYNA#38c3be047ccc
More food, for thought.
will have a look…another thought…although most NZ business people would probably self describe as “capitalist’ the reality is they are not necessarily….if your business requires your personal labour to succeed then id submit you are not operating a “capitalist’ model….and most NZ businesses are small/medium enterprises that require the owners active input…or labour
The sniff test could be does your business make you money while you sleep?
There is a very common aphorism “do you work for your business, or does you business work for you?”.
Most businesses will start out as the former, but with good planning and some luck (after all about 80% of new businesses fail within five years), you should over time make the transition to the latter.
Once you’ve gotten past say 20 employees (random half assed guess) you should be well on the way to a self-sustaining business that only needs governance oversight.
It is extremely random….97% of NZ businesses have less than 20 employees
https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/new-zealand-business-demography-statistics-at-february-2018
I want to be at the helm of the outcomes in my life. In our modern world it seems to me that the best way to chase that result is to have something worth buying and look for a customer.
I don’t think ‘So what steps are you taking to overcome your poverty?’ should be a rude question. It should be a question that prompts an answer with windows we can reach into and assist.
KJT
In general the OP is a reasonable overview; I don’t have any quibble with most of it’s points.
In summary, the most successful models so far blend the wealth generating power of capitalism and the wealth distributing power of socialism. The trick is maintaining the balance.
The 20th century marxist disasters clearly inform us what happens when the balance is tilted excessively towards collectivist authoritarianism; diminishing, erasing even, the individual and the role of private property. Marx formulated his ideas in a narrow slice of history, the opening decades of the First Industrial Revolution, and as a consequence his diagnosis was limited. It’s my view that if the he was writing in modern times; with the benefit of hindsight on the past 200 years, his proposals may well have been a lot different.
Emboldened by the fall of the Soviet Union the neo-liberal revolution of the 80’s broke the Western social balance in the other direction, toward unconstrained capitalism, exploitation of the commons, and libertarian excesses. In the past 40 years we have seen much of the gains generated by the Second Industrial Revolution captured by a small elite.
Let me be clear on this; neither of these extremes has been a success, nor in the long run is either obviously sustainable. Each in their own way abuse both human dignity and the planet we all depend on. Yet of the 200 odd nations on earth, barely 20 to 30 have achieved this precarious balance between these extremes. It is as if the desirable equilibrium is both difficult to reach, and may well be prone to instability in the long run.
This tension between the collectivist impulse and the sovereignty of the individual may derive from two fundamental aspects of human nature; the left is motivated by empathy for the downtrodden and weak, while the right responds to notions of just reward for effort and adjudication of the law. One is primarily linked to compassion, the other justice.
Rolling these ideas together I’m persuaded that as a species we have are exhausting the possibilities of social models glued together on these two impulses alone. It’s as if we need to reach for a third dimension to both unleash our potential and instantiate the sustainability we so lamentably lack at present.
Hi KJT. I’m interested to push your thoughts a bit further.
What would Marx be writing about, if he were alive today?
Are neo-Marxists writing about redistribution, rather than overhaul of the system?
Where does the “Occupy” movement sit, in relation to contemporary Marxian discourse? And what in your opinion are examples of neo-Marxian responses to capitalism?
Marx, was, of course responding to the issues of his time.
I suspect he would be horrified with the Soviet corruption of his ideas.
Many useful points from reading Marx however.
The tendency of the rate of return for capitalism, profit, towards zero and the ever increasing repression by the ruling capitalist class, to keep their greater share, is just one that reflects later events.
Adam Smith and more recently, Ha Joon Chang, have a different take on capitalism.
Ha Joon Changs ideas reflect empirical reality more closely, than any of the Chicago schools delusions.
Adam Smith on paying workers fairly, and taxing rent seekers and landowners, rather than workers and entrepreneurship, conflicts with the modern view, of those who cannot be bothered to read, that he was a free market fanatic.
Ha Joon Chang, on how the West become prosperous, then rigged the system so the global South couldn’t follow, is informative. Especially now that China has done a home run around the USA, using much the same techniques that succeeded in enriching the US.
Your questions, I’m sorry, will take more thought than I have time for.
RL, I admire your optimism, but don’t share it. Reaching for “a third dimension” to “unleash our potential” should polish most of us off a bit faster, which might be a mercy in the end.
Humanity will continue to find new ways to ‘grow’, until it can grow no more – it’s what we’ve always done, and it has propelled us to previously unimaginable heights.
BUT. IT. JUST. CAN’T. GO. ON.
This link in todays NYT.
And very relevant it is for todays world.
Because, it seems to be the feeling in so many countries now for the young people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/europe/britain-austerity-socialism.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Jordan Peterson mouthing off again with his own peculiar brand of doctrine delivered without a pause for doubt, because there isn’t any. How come this man is a go to person of how everything is, was and will be?
He poisons the idea of women’s advances saying that men are held back by them and disses small communities as only a place for drop-outs that would degenerate into nihilism and suicide. No thought for little artisan villages that coud be halfway self-sufficient and make specialist goods to sell for the other half. The only thing for the small isolated community with single mothers and alcoholics in one breath; is to go to the city where there are opportunities. I wonder if there is room for another Jordan Peterson type or has he established a monopoly on fatuous talking heads.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/383212/small-isolated-fragmented-communities-not-viable-psychologist
I think you’ve overreaching a bit. In my experience Peterson is more correct than not, small isolated fragments of communities do indeed struggle over the long run. The nearest example to NZ was Tasmania where up until about the 70’s numerous, small and isolated communities did indeed degenerate in a number of ways, exactly as Peterson describes.
The key word here is isolation … as in the sense of boundaries. Boundaries are both necessary to both define and protect a community, but also must have a selective porosity to enable the exchange of people, genes and ideas. Even the smallest biological unit, the cell operates in much the same way. Even your little artisan villages that coud be halfway self-sufficient and make specialist goods to sell for the other half is predicated in this idea …
The romantic, hippy ideal of the self-sustaining community turned out to be a complete failure wherever it was tried. In the long run they all depended on linkages to the wider world.
So the average rural wage, as you will well know real logic, is about $21k. Highest earning rural job is dairy and it shouldn’t be controversial to say dairy is over intensified so no growth there. The Government and Tourism NZ have a tourism strategy, yknon the clean green ads. But the average wage for a rural tourist job is about $19k so the more tourism we do, the poorer we get.
Just to maintain the average wage we’d have to get into manufacturing or tech companies and that requires coordination with education providers, local and central government and business.
I’d tune into Peterson if he’s going on about psycho analytics and stuff. As for economics Peterson has as much experience at economics Kiwi style than any other armchair analyst.
I don’t trust the linked article all that much, most journo’s have proven flakey and selective interpreters of Peterson indeed.
But given what is there I’m assuming he’s speaking to the youth suicide rate in our small communities like Kawerau for instance. (I lived there for seven years so I have some sense of the place.) Peterson grew up in an even more isolated town on the northern most edge of the Alberta prairies, and has spoken of his close personal connection with an Indigenous Canadian community, so he’s likely to have some first-hand awareness of this topic.
Australia has an even worse problem in it’s more isolated communities; a double whammy of Aboriginal cultural alienation and social isolation sees some communities grappling with suicide clusters that have almost become normalised.
I would imagine he was speaking to the pathologies of these places rather than their economics ….
The people you speak of are conquered over multiple generations. Of course they are going to be pathological. You can’t really point to conquered people and say look, they’re eating rodents and signal that as a correlation. So if centralised control is relaxed then they’ll go back to what they where doing before people get conquered. Can make the same argument for The African Assembly. Reason the African Assembly leap frogs the EU in global GDP rankings is because Africa is regulatory liberal so business can do a lot more in Africa than Europe.
Y’know and if you want a high suicide rate then you could probably copy NZ rural policy sets with strong police presence pushing people off of productive land and giving chinamen water rights. It doesn’t take a freaking genius.
That’s a powerful amount of extrapolation from the term “rural and isolated”.
Hell, if we tack in error bars, I’d be moderately surprised if NZ had a demonstrable urban/rural divide in suicide rates. You could use DHBs as a pretty good proxy.
But There’s a clear gradient in suicide rates by deprivation, and lesser (but serious) disparities iby ethnicity. But “viability” is easier to write off than “equity”.
The problem lies with the linked RNZ article; it omits the context of the question that had been put to Peterson. We can only assume it was framed around the question of youth suicide and events like this:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5569093/Lessons-in-Kawerau-suicides-experts
Why must we assume anything?
But to bring it around to the topic of the post, the idea of “viability” of small communities is applicable only under capitalism. As soon as we provide services to rural communities according to their need, rather than ignoring them or (at best) providing resources based on “per capita” formulas with little practical recognition of either the needs brought about by geography or the value these communities add to our nation, its appeal and its character, chances are any extant urban/rural inequity will disappear.
Still fancy me a bit of Jordan Peterson every now and then. Thing is, I come from a fatherless background, also that the egalitarian background I grew up in, in a state house with a single mother, having that safety net helped me as well and 90% of state house kids are all left. So when I hear Peterson go on about Marxist ideology and the perils of the egalitarian lifestyle I’m like fuck this Peterson, who the hell does he think he is.
Rural and urban suicide rates in New Zealand are similar.
You got some wise cells running round in that grey matter, that’s for sure.
I envisage we can be of the global community via the internet, and extremely local re: food, clothing shelter. So our basic needs are never again at the whim of foreign markets, but we have the exchanges necessary for evolution/adaptation to a changing world, and trade in goods not locally produced.
The capitalist ‘competition’ has led to division in every field. The alternative is monopoly of a field. Both are highly problematic. We spend resources on advertising executives, pamphlets, billboards, psychology…. instead of a damn fine product.
Capitalism is the shiny wrapper hiding nasty competitive extractive wasteful industries.
Primary production is a function of sunlight.
Why is my comment awaiting moderation? I’m not a stranger here.
Scientific American weighs in on the matter:
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/revolt-against-the-rich/
Capitalism is basically about building up capital.
In NZ we gave them free rein. We allowed capitalists to amass capital and we taxed everything but that. Now we are discussing taxing capital..woohoo!! The sky might fall.
Can we survive without capitalism? Yes if we live like Tibetan monks.
That is the antithesis. Some where between is possibly a more acceptable state.
No society has legislated greed out of their system. This is a social decision people make for themselves based on moral concepts or religious positions.
Basically humans every where tell stories of great greed and great selflessness because they understand they are the opposite sides of the same coin.
If we are successful and have capital, we fight the notion of greed as we know we have more because someone else has less. Those with less know it is not fair, as do many who are well off, so they start charities and place a plaster on their conscience and the blemish of poverty.
Many have been lifted out of poverty by capitalism so it is said. Could there be a better way, probably, but it is too late to completely change, so modifying is our best current hope in the face of climate change. IMO