Welcome to the 1970s
Perhaps the most urgent task is to realise that demand-side stimulus cannot fix supply shocks. Ultimately, it took policymakers most of the 1970s to finally realise that. [...]
Insights
‘Insights’ is the weekly newsletter of The New Zealand Initiative. Every Friday it provides comment pieces on domestic and global policy issues and the state of the world as such. It is a newsletter serious enough for a think tank – and lighthearted enough for an enjoyable Friday afternoon read. Please subscribe to ‘Insights’ by visiting the website of The New Zealand Initiative: www.nzinitiative.org.nz
No excuse for being Russian
Targeting Putin and his supporters makes much sense. But demonising Russian culture more broadly is stupid, not least because it pushes Russians into line with the dictator. [...]
The economic consequences of the war
Russia’s actions have set in motion a chain of events that could plunge the world into a serious economic crisis. [...]
Flying blind
Challenges, threats, and severe risks abound. But does New Zealand have the institutions to handle them? Does the government have the necessary capabilities? [...]
Our generation’s historic challenge
We must rediscover the cultural and political foundations of our civilisation. It is the Enlightenment values of freedom and peace that we must defend against illiberalism, both at home and abroad. [...]
Transparency, please
Now, New Zealand is not a developing country. But we do not want to become one, either. [...]
Central planning through the backdoor
If you thought central planning was buried with the fall of communism, you should look at the European Union. [...]
Intentionally blank
The world needs more courage to draw a blank. Intentionally. [...]
Our final Groundhog Day?
Unlike Groundhog Day, there is nothing funny about Covid. But just as in Groundhog Day, it will all eventually be over. Hopefully, this year. [...]
Moving beyond the pandemic
Covid dominated the headlines in 2021, other policy areas received less attention than deserved. So, what will 2022 bring? [...]