Millennial ignorance
A large majority of Australian millennials find socialism attractive. And they believe that capitalism has failed. [...]
Publications
Housing reform vs populist gimmickry
It is hard to introduce populist policies without hurting the economy. That is the takeout from the Government’s decision to water down its planned restrictions on foreign property buyers. [...]
Nothing is forever (except for the euro crisis)
The euro crisis may have become ingrained, chronic or hidden – but it is not over. [...]
How the West was lost
The diplomatic debacle of La Malbaie may well signify the end of the G7 process, which had started in the 1970s. That by itself would not be such a deplorable outcome. [...]
Labour newspeak
George Orwell would have had fun with the terms of reference of the Government’s Fair Pay Agreement Working Group. Practically none of these terms can be taken at their literal value, starting with the stated purpose. [...]
Revolutionary common sense
The counterrevolution started in Auckland last night. That is when the Initiative hosted British educator Katharine Birbalsingh for a dinner lecture in front of an audience of almost 300 teachers, school trustees, business leaders and politicians. [...]
To the Government’s credit
If politicians could make companies more productive and innovative by decree, they would have done so a long time ago. [...]
The price of diplomacy is worth paying
We should be prepared to defend government’s unpopular spending decisions where we believe them to be justified. The boost to New Zealand’s diplomatic capacity is just such a decision. [...]
An assault on representative democracy
The Waka Jumping Bill is more reminiscent of early 20th century Germany than suited to 21st century New Zealand. It would be an aberration of New Zealand’s democratic tradition if it were passed into law. [...]
Caution needed on value capture
As tempting it may appear to tap into land value uplifts, we need to be cautious. The model can work – but we need to apply it only in the cases where it can work. [...]
