political alternatives
Categories under political alternatives
- Revolution (26)
- vision (67)
Where is this Democracy they Speak of?
Written By: - Date published: 11:21 am, December 30th, 2013 - 167 comments
There’s a rumour going around that we live in a democracy.
Shop til we all drop
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, December 27th, 2013 - 90 comments
The cult of the super rich, cheer led by the uncritical echo chamber in the MSM. Those struggling in poverty receive a few crumbs of charity, promoting superficial “good will” by those indulging in the orgy of consumerist excess. Underlying causes & solutions are ignored.
The Carbon or the Swag?
Written By: - Date published: 2:32 pm, December 12th, 2013 - 42 comments
So many choices! What’s a body to do?
Poverty, women & rape culture
Written By: - Date published: 12:32 pm, November 19th, 2013 - 132 comments
In our highly gendered socio-economic system that has institutionalised poverty, gendered violence, sexual violence and rape culture, low income women are multiply disadvantaged. Trigger warning: This post addresses some difficult and sensitive issues about poverty, women and rape culture. Subsequent comments will be tightly moderated.
National Day of Action Against Rape – today (16 Nov)
Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, November 16th, 2013 - 13 comments
Today there are actions planned around the country in protest about the rape culture that is part of our mainstream culture. This post and comments are in support of the day of action. Have a good day everyone. [Update: impact on/silencing of survivors]
Sir Edmund Thomas: “Reducing Inequality” – new ‘Values’
Written By: - Date published: 5:48 pm, November 6th, 2013 - 29 comments
Sir Edmund Thomas’s recent Bruce Jesson Lecture is now online. He argues for a need to reduce inequalities, via a change in values away from those directed by “neoliberal” economics, & for a struggle from “below”. Is this intended to soften capitalism & not replace it?
Populists v Plutocrats
Written By: - Date published: 8:15 pm, November 4th, 2013 - 12 comments
Democrat Bill de Blasio is almost 40 points clear of his Republican rival in the race for Mayor of New York City. His parents were investigated for communist sympathies. An anti-apartheid poster hangs on his kitchen wall. He loves Europe’s social democrats, admires Latin American liberation theology and is poised to confound the conservative trend in US politics by sweeping to an improbable triumph as the next Mayor of New York in this week’s elections. There are some lessons from our local elections too.
Avoiding the silly wars of the republic
Written By: - Date published: 8:27 am, October 30th, 2013 - 60 comments
So the US military/diplomats has decided that we should be friends again after nearly 30 years. Whooptee do! Who really gives a pigs arse? Well I do. The republic in the USA gives all republics a bad name because of their habit of using military force for poorly thought-out ideological and even odd personal reasons. Someone to be wary of following blindly into one of their silly wars.
On the waterfront: art & politics
Written By: - Date published: 12:01 pm, October 29th, 2013 - 81 comments
Auckland authorities disrespected past worker struggles in allowing an art work on the waterfront, that commemorates the ruthless suppression of the 1913 strike. After protests, it has now been covered. Time for the many to unite for fairness at work & in daily living!
Beyond the MSM? You Bet!
Written By: - Date published: 10:18 am, September 20th, 2013 - 221 comments
David Cunliffe spoke to the Left base in the Daily Blog Live interview last night: economy, tax, employment, GCSB, TPPA & more. He raises hopes for a new, post GFC social democratic vision. But he spoke to those with economic & policy knowledge. His nods towards better social security, away from bennie bashing, need fleshing out.
Tales from the precariat: AAAP
Written By: - Date published: 1:18 pm, September 13th, 2013 - 71 comments
Auckland Action Against Poverty did 3 days of advocacy action in New Lynn. Their press releases & videos show the struggles of low income Kiwis to survive in John Key’s corporate-loving NZ. The tales tell of a need for real social security legislation & a more client-friendly WINZ.
Housing: the options, the new left narrative?
Written By: - Date published: 11:07 am, September 13th, 2013 - 75 comments
The response to Metiria Turei’s sttements about affordable housing on The Vote, raises questions about political narratives are told to the general electorate? The Greens, Mana and Cunliffe have stressed their “vision“. How to tell it so it reaches the hearts of New Zealanders?
The momentum of expectation….
Written By: - Date published: 12:20 pm, August 26th, 2013 - 115 comments
[Update] Surrounded by women, especially Pasifika women, Cunliffe announced he is standing for Labour leader. Iain Lees Galloway and Nanaia Mahuta signed the nomination forms. Report from New Lynn: photos added – Cunliffe answers some questions.
‘The Pursuit of Loneliness’: death of a dream
Written By: - Date published: 11:10 am, July 4th, 2013 - 33 comments
US social critic, Phillip E Slater (1927-2013), lived anti-materialistic, anti-individualistic, community-based ideals: 60s-70s, middle-class, US-based counter-culture values, with limited political activism and focus. Admirable cultural values, lacking the politics to challenge global “neoliberal” elites. What can the NZ left learn from this today?
Slogan politics
Written By: - Date published: 10:32 am, June 20th, 2013 - 82 comments
We have an unfortunate tendency in New Zealand to reduce politics to dumb slogans. The “fart tax” was a classic example. The current case in point is “printing money”.
Advocacy is the core of any charity
Written By: - Date published: 5:26 am, May 10th, 2013 - 35 comments
Yesterday’s NZ Herald editorial gave a hard-line conservative view of what a charity should be. Charities should and must deal with ills of society on a person by person basis without attempting to fix the causation. That sounds more like a parasitical “charity” like the workhouses of the 19th century or the adoption factories of the 20th than anything that a person of goodwill would choose to support.
Political vision?
Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, May 3rd, 2013 - 61 comments
Today’s NZ Herald editorial on Auckland’s up-coming mayoral election campaign, says Brown has vision, but Minto and Williamson lack it. What sort of vision should the left provide in the up-coming local authority elections around NZ, and in NZ’s parliamentary elections in 2014?
The NZ Herald – advancing Auckland backwards
Written By: - Date published: 10:52 am, May 1st, 2013 - 32 comments
To the Herald the Fourth Estate must be a greenfield development on the outer margins of Auckland: a Dickensian space, hiding the poor from the upper middle-classes. The Herald lacks critical balance & equal weighting for diverse views: it scaremongers about the Akl Unitary Plan & undermines public transport.
NRT: The Constitutional Conversation
Written By: - Date published: 10:33 am, March 5th, 2013 - 6 comments
A useful note from NRT on the constitutional review. Make your submissions…
Green Party “I’m in – for the future”
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 am, January 27th, 2013 - 109 comments
For once lately, I agree with Matt McCarten on the Green Party being Centre Stage this week: a housing policy for renters and buyers on low incomes, including state housing. Memorable speech at Ratana by Turei. Today: Picnic for the Planet, State of the Planet speech & the launch of a new “I’m in – for the future” initiative.
Towards an inclusive, democratic left
Written By: - Date published: 10:53 am, November 16th, 2012 - 46 comments
The left needs to develop a new direction, not merely react to the ruling neoliberal discourses and policies. Under NAct there has been a resurgent masculinisation of politics, and the undermining of democratic processes. How do we work towards a more inclusive, diverse participatory democracy?
Pagani to lead Labour to victory!
Written By: - Date published: 1:20 pm, November 14th, 2012 - 20 comments
In a bold and exciting move Labour MP David Shearer stood down at today’s Labour conference and handed the reins to mild mannered media commentator Josie Pagani. Shearer said it became clear he had too much parliamentary experience for the role and the public was calling for someone ‘less like a politician’ than he was.
Looking for a new left direction: more than just one housing policy
Written By: - Date published: 8:10 am, November 14th, 2012 - 218 comments
A policy focusing on increasing state housing and affordable rents would be a good start. However, my current criticism of Labour leadership focuses on the policy direction of the leadership team. This requires more than just one policy. A bold new left wing plan is needed to deal with the difficult challenges ahead. Updated
From Sugarbags to Foodbanks
Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, October 31st, 2012 - 60 comments
Sugarbags are a symbol of self-help in the 1930s Depression. Foodbanks are a symbol of the failure of consumer capitalism. Should the left reclaim Labour’s original core values? What are those core values, and are they still relevant today?
Let’s sing it! Songs for ‘ordinary’ people
Written By: - Date published: 11:55 am, October 19th, 2012 - 109 comments
Revolutions, political movements and protests are fueled by songs. They bring people together in common cause, draw attention to devastating conditions, reassure the oppressed that they are not alone, and inspire people to take political action. What songs have engaged, inspired, or motivated your political conscience and compassion? Update: : The winner is…
‘What crisis?’ Rudderless ship, stormy seas
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, October 14th, 2012 - 133 comments
There is ample evidence of a deep and lasting crisis, but in the delusional world of Planet Key it doesn’t exist. The EPMU Job Crisis Summit opened a much needed conversation. Russel Norman likened the New Zealand economy to a rudderless sailing ship In Stormy Seas. Will the summit be the start of a sea change for NZ?
‘Children of the Poor’ 1934 – 2012: Social Security for the Future?
Written By: - Date published: 11:04 am, September 30th, 2012 - 176 comments
Split Enz once sang, “History Never Repeats”… Or does it? Destructive prejudices separating ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor have been around a very long time. When the likes of Paula Bennett pander to such ill-informed vindictiveness with punitive social welfare reforms, they will damage large numbers of children – our future citizens.
A decent policy
Written By: - Date published: 6:23 pm, September 9th, 2012 - 279 comments
David Shearer’s policy of free meals for low decile schools is a bloody good one – there are too many kids that are going to school hungry and suffering setbacks because of it.
But remember, this should only be seen as a stop-gap measure.
Greenpeace – working for others.
Written By: - Date published: 3:02 pm, September 4th, 2012 - 13 comments
Greenpeace has a case in front of the Court of Appeal today. It is going to be important for any number of small charities who do some advocacy work that may be considered to be ‘political’.
But Greenpeace deserves a resounding cheer for taking this case when it is far more important to other advocates from poverty groups to churches to climate deniers than it is to themselves.
Advice to Labour: Fair, inclusive, positive
Written By: - Date published: 10:09 am, August 18th, 2012 - 69 comments
Hey Labour – here’s three words for you. Fair, inclusive, positive. You’ll win the next election, and the two after that.
On Democracy
Written By: - Date published: 2:54 pm, August 14th, 2012 - 97 comments
KJT defends the principle of Democracy against the same old arguments. Most of the objections apply to any system which allows the public a say in Government. As again we have the party in Government telling us, “We won the election. We can do whatever we want. A dictatorship.
- Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports
Murdoch's bid to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan has failed, the New York Times reports. ...2 days ago - The cost of being: A thrifty baking apprentice who’s saving up to travel
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 21-year-old explains why she’s always on the hunt for a bargain. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 21. Ethnicity: NZ European. Role: Second-year baking ...2 days ago - School sex education plans derailed by misinformation, bigotry and threats of violence – repor...
Schools should not be required to consult parents about the content of sexuality lessons, an ERO report says ...2 days ago
- The human right to science is 76 years old. It’s a reminder for us all to be more curious
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sujatha Raman, Professor and UNESCO Chair-holder, Australian National University chingyunsong/shutterstock Signed exactly 76 years ago today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the world’s most translated document. It is widely acknowledged as the foundation of international human rights work, not ...2 days ago - Does menopause hormone therapy increase or decrease your risk of dementia? Here’s the science
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caroline Gurvich, Associate Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist, Monash University Felicity Tai/Pexels By 2050, around 135 million people worldwide will be living with dementia. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s ...2 days ago
- ‘Unseen world’: researchers capture fascinating footage of the world’s smallest penguins in a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diane Colombelli-Négrel, Senior Lecturer, Animal Behaviour, Flinders University On Granite Island off South Australia, a colony of little penguins is fighting to survive. About two decades ago, the penguins numbered 1,600 adults – now there are just 30. It is important ...2 days ago
- Australians’ cars are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than in Europe – here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robin Smit, Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Road transport is responsible for a substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. So reducing these emissions is a high priority. In the European Union (EU), CO₂ ...2 days ago
- Live: Willis and Luxon talk tough on banking sector
The government is promising a swathe of changes to bolster KiwiBank, and bring about more competition in the banking sector. ...2 days ago
- Health NZ’s plan to stop or defer 136 IT projects
More than jobs are being cut by Health New Zealand's big data and digital cull, with the axing of more than 100 IT projects. ...2 days ago
- How much do you need to retire? It’s probably a lot less than you think
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Coates, Program Director, Economic Policy, Grattan Institute Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock How much do you need to save for a comfortable retirement? It’s a big question, and you’ll often hear dire warnings you don’t have enough. But for most Australians, it’s ...2 days ago
- Why a musical instrument is the perfect gift this Christmas (and some suggestions for which to get)
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wendy Hargreaves, Senior Learning Advisor, University of Southern Queensland Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Christmas is the season to be jolly, but it’s wrapped in some cheerless trials. There’s car park mania, pre-dawn pilgrimages to purchase seafood, and the ever-perplexing question, “What should I buy ...2 days ago
- Explosive LNG Report Casts More Doubt On Govt’s Plan To Build Fossil Gas Import Terminal
The ‘ Explosive Truths’ report commissioned by Greenpeace delves into the history of LNG accidents, highlighting a lack of transparency, underestimated risks to human safety, and failing safety protocols. ...2 days ago - Kim Hill Wants To Know: ‘Are you always late?’ – Hill meets Boris Johnson
An abrupt introduction set the tone as RNZ's Kim Hill sat down for a long chat with the former British Prime Minister, to ask if he's trying to "salvage" his career. ...2 days ago
- India is the new China – NZ needs to see the bigger picture in trade negotiations
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Downtown Mumbai. Getty Images Anyone who has followed New Zealand’s protracted trade negotiations with India will know any new announcement of progress needs to be taken with a grain ...2 days ago
- A tale of two polls
Te Pāti Māori hits a high, but not at the expense of Act, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund for The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 days ago
- Live: Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis on changes for banking sector
The government is promising a swathe of changes to bolster KiwiBank, and bring about more competition in the banking sector. ...2 days ago
- Number of youth in custody ‘posing a risk’ – police
Police have started recording the number of young people ordered into custody, but the Police Association says "any number" of nights in custody is "too high". ...2 days ago
- Nurses begin rolling strikes in Auckland today
Healthcare workers walk off the job again today as the nurses union's dispute with Health NZ over pay and resourcing continues. ...3 days ago
- Freezers, pasteurisers and funding woes: A day at a human milk bank in Christchurch
Shanti Mathias visits a volunteer-run milk bank, where donated breast milk is processed and distributed to newborns in need. The milk is in bottles with light blue tops, neatly labelled, the three fridges humming steadily to keep the liquid cool. But a closer look at the milk shows not the ...3 days ago
- ‘More than a business’: Auckland institution Geoff’s Emporium to close after 42 years
The last buttons will be counted out on Dominion Road at the end of January. At the large wooden counter towards the back of the store, Derrol Lamb measured two meters of cream poly cotton from a roll of fabric. Once out, he deftly ran big silver scissors along the ...3 days ago
- Xmas: The best illustrated books of 2024
It was another spectacular year for the most consistently excellent genre in New Zealand publishing. We do a great coffee-table book. We do a great many great coffee-table books, year in and year out; the greatness of 2024 is owed first and foremost to Nicola Legat, publisher at Massey University ...3 days ago - Daily crossword, Tuesday 10 December
The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 10 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Further job cuts at Callaghan blasted as ‘reckless’
A second round of redundancies at science research agency come amid backlash over funding cuts across the sector The post Further job cuts at Callaghan blasted as ‘reckless’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 10 December
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 10 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Macron stuck in a constitutional dead end
Opinion: Macron finds himself assuming presidential authority but no longer able to deliver it The post Macron stuck in a constitutional dead end appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Aukus divide could widen trans-Tasman defence gap – experts
Relations with NZ’s only formal ally are under the microscope amid geopolitical tensions The post Aukus divide could widen trans-Tasman defence gap – experts appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Disastrous digital failure of Māori land court portal
Opinion: Ministry review of online portal for Māori Land Court makes 42 recommendations The post Disastrous digital failure of Māori land court portal appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- ‘The window has closed on tree-planting’ – Rod Carr
The former climate tsar discusses opposition from ‘vested interests’ in the fossil fuel sector and the opportunity NZ is at risk of squandering The post ‘The window has closed on tree-planting’ – Rod Carr appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- When a ban is an accolade: Our media person of the year 2024
Comment: The media industry ends 2024 in real financial and strategic trouble. As jobs go and products and shows die, some in the media hope for salvation that will very likely never come, from a form of compulsory shakedown of the global social media and search platforms, Facebook and Google.As ...3 days ago
- How SolarZero turned out to be a live wire
When the world’s largest investor bought out SolarZero, and other global financiers came on board alongside a government green bank to help it grow, its future seemed secure.But two weeks ago, the New Zealand start-up was put into liquidation by its directors and staff were given the shock news to ...3 days ago
- Supercharged Kiwibank dwarfed by majors, but primed to compete on price
Even with the $10b in extra lending, Kiwibank is less than half the size of the next smallest bank The post Supercharged Kiwibank dwarfed by majors, but primed to compete on price appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- Anne Salmond: Research cuts an own goal
Dame Anne Salmond agrees with the NZ Initiative on one aspect of cuts to universities’ research funding – and why it could accelerate the brain drain The post Anne Salmond: Research cuts an own goal appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 days ago
- At first glance, Australia’s new treaty with Nauru seems to be a win-win. But questions remain
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Wallis, Professor of International Security, University of Adelaide At first blush, today’s announcement that Australia and Nauru have signed a security treaty offers something for both countries. Australia increases its influence in a region in which it feels threatened by China. ...3 days ago
- Plans to reintroduce pay deductions for partial strikes
The Workplace Relations minister has announced plans to reintroduce pay deductions for partial strikes, which were stopped under Labour in 2018. ...3 days ago
- The Melbourne synagogue fire is being treated as a terror attack. Here’s why that matters
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Victoria Police has announced it’s treating the Melbourne synagogue fire as a terrorist attack. The blaze at the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea soon appeared ...3 days ago
- Support for Te Pāti Māori has surged in the latest One News Verian poll
Te Pāti Māori has seen the biggest movement in tonight's 1News-Verian poll, gaining three points and overtaking New Zealand First. ...3 days ago
- Why Bashar al-Assad’s security state collapsed so dramatically in Syria
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marika Sosnowski, Postdoctoral research fellow, The University of Melbourne Sometimes nothing happens for years. And then years – decades even – happen in a few days. Over the past ten days, a range of Syrian rebel forces led by the group ...3 days ago
- Albanese announces antisemitism taskforce, as synagogue firebombing investigation upgraded
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese has announced an Australian Federal Police Special Operation Taskforce to combat antisemitism, after criticism from within and outside the Jewish community that the government has not done enough to deal with the escalating ...3 days ago
- Forgotten histories: what fetal and baby remains in medical collections tell us about inequality
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siân Halcrow, Professor of Biological Anthropology, University of Otago Content warning: this story deals with infant loss and human remains acquired historically for use within museum contexts. A collection of fetal and baby skeletal remains at the University of Otago’s W.D. Trotter ...3 days ago
- Bovaer is added to cow feed to reduce methane emissions. Does it get into milk and meat? And is it h...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide Valdis Skudre/Shutterstock Concern has been rising over the use of a feed supplement, Bovaer 10, to reduce methane production in cows. Bovaer 10 consists of silicon dioxide (basically sand), propylene glycol ...3 days ago
The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.
Recent Comments