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Category Archives: Political Psychology
Selling rope
There’s an anecdote, probably apocryphal, that in the early 1920s Lenin claimed that capitalism would provide the rope to hang itself. When some wag (reputedly Grigori Zinoviev, a close associate) responded by asking ‘Where will we get the rope?’ – at … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Labour, Maori, Media, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology, Poverty
Tagged capitalism, Elections, ideology, Internet Party, Mana Party, Media, political psychology, Voting
1 Comment
Wafer-thin socialism in nouvelle cuisine budget
It was obviously a budget for political foodies. As pointed out by Christ Trotter, Liam Dann predicted (or advised Bill English to deliver) a ‘cheese and toast‘ budget – comfort food, Kiwi-style. Gordon Campbell, by contrast, hitched his analysis to a … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged Brownlee, Christchurch, Elections, John Key, National, political psychology, Voting
7 Comments
‘What they see is what they get’
“Part of it is, I think, is, I suspect … I’m a pretty laid back, sort of down-to-earth hopefully approachable guy, and, … and, I think kind of again, what they see is what they get and they like that … Continue reading
Foxes, hens, the ‘hard left’ and the myth of the ‘time warp’.
It’s easy to feel a bit giddy – even queasy – after reading and hearing the reaction of politicians and commentators to the appointment of Matt McCarten as David Cunliffe’s Chief of Staff. John Armstrong has invited a picture of … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls, Political Psychology, Uncategorized
Tagged Elections, John Key, National, political psychology, Voting
2 Comments
Adam Smith on the appeal of the iPhone
“How many people ruin themselves by laying out money on trinkets of frivolous utility? What pleases these lovers of toys is not so much the utility, as the aptness of the machines which are fitted to promote it.” (Part IV, … Continue reading
Flagging interest in ‘folly’ of vexillology
John Key seems like an unlikely vexillologist – or should that be vexillographer?. That aside, what was John Key ‘flagging’ when he proposed a referendum on New Zealand’s national flag to coincide with this year’s election – without having already … Continue reading
Democracy under attack – by democracy
Paradoxes are fascinating things. Some are especially so on the day of local body elections. The famous ‘Liar Paradox‘ poses the intriguing claim by a Cretan that ‘All Cretans are always liars’. Of course, if it’s true, it’s false. And, … Continue reading
Posted in Democracy, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology
Tagged capitalism, Christchurch, cities, community, Elections, fascism, Freedom, Local Government, political psychology, Voting
2 Comments
John Key and the serious business of “mucking around”
I did my best to resist the temptation to blog about this. But, in the end, the temptation was too great. Partly that was because of the absurdity of it all – I even thought up a provisional title: “Key goes … Continue reading
Key’s approach won’t work “over time”
It is often said that those who “Live by the sword, die by the sword“. It might also be said that those politicians who, less excitingly, live by portraying themselves as ‘pragmatic’ and ‘non-ideological’ will, in the fullness of time, … Continue reading
A bit rich
The National Business Review has released its 2012 ‘Rich List’ of the wealthiest New Zealanders. Well, the wealthiest people who occasionally drop in to New Zealand … or, maybe, own some land in New Zealand … or, maybe, have an … Continue reading