Of all the reasons why Europe’s monetary crisis keeps dragging on, the lack of a common language is not the most obvious one. Why should it matter when the predominant language of finance, politics and diplomacy is English? Read more
The New Zealand Initiative with the support of the Friedlander Foundation is hosting a debating series titled The Next Generation Debates: Fresh Perspectives on the Big Social Issues. Over the next two weeks the top two debaters from each of Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury and Otago universities will be going head to head over moots based around topical social issues. Read more
The Western world since the Enlightenment has been shaped by the inviolability of rule of law, a commitment to scientific enquiry, and an adherence to democratic process. But at the root of all of these values lies an openness to ideas and a willingness to discuss them. Read more
Thirty years ago, it was an everyday experience to see New Zealanders smoke in meetings, restaurants and even on public transport. Today, such activities are socially unacceptable and often outright illegal. Read more
And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic mills? Read more
While the rest of Europe was still debating fiscal solutions to the debt crisis, Mario Draghi reminded us that the answer may well be monetary. By signalling the possibility of strong ECB intervention in bond markets, the ECB president did not only calm the markets temporarily; he also revealed where the EU is heading. Read more
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Debates about the letter of the recovery – “V”, “U”, “W”, “L”– assume the inevitable return to robust economic growth. Economic growth has become the universal solution for all political and economic problems, from reducing poverty to now solving the problems of over-indebted individuals, businesses and nations. Read more
With the London Olympics about to start, it is time to reveal the medal tally. China will win 102 medals (gold, silver and bronze), followed closely by the United States (100), Russia (71), and the United Kingdom (71). Read more
The Government has a website (New Zealand Now) that markets New Zealand to the world as “a great place to live, invest and do business”. A great many New Zealanders, including the strongest opponents of foreign investment, would probably agree. Read more
Europe’s politicians are quick learners. It has only taken them about 2½ years to realise that Greece cannot be saved within the eurozone. Read more
Mondayising public holidays by Prime News on July 24. Featuring Luke Malpass from The New Zealand Initiative. Read more
Until a few decades ago, Australian cities were rank outsiders in the Asia-Pacific region. Prosperous, globally connected, democratic, Western-standard—they were in effect European enclaves in Asia’s southern backyard. Read more
Housing affordability’ has been subject to heated political debate this week. The term doesn’t refer to social housing but to ‘more expensive than they should be’ houses. Read more
Centuries before the communist era, Chinese innovators came up with four of mankind’s truly profound and influential inventions: gunpowder, paper, printing and the compass. China also invented some of our handiest household items, including the wheelbarrow, the chopstick, the toothbrush, and toilet paper. Read more