Politics & Society | Public Interest Media

Q+A: Venezuela in crisis: how did we get here?

Feb 4, 2019

Venezuela is once again at a crossroads. But what is the historic context behind the ongoing political polarisation in Venezuela?

Q+A: How can our everyday decisions help alleviate the water crisis?

Jan 31, 2019

The world is fast running out of fresh water according and the results could be very grim. The causes are linked to overconsumption and a growing human population. Can we reverse the trend?

Where is the music industry’s #MeToo movement?

Jan 30, 2019

Sam Smith explores why a #MeToo type movement has not taken off in the music industry to the extent it has in the film industry.

Gilets jaunes continued – What is next for the ‘Yellow Vests’ in France?

Jan 29, 2019

After over two months of active protest against the French Government what next for the Yellow Vests?

The Big Chill: What happened to Canada-China relations?

Jan 23, 2019

Since December last year, relations between Canada and China have deteriorated to the extent that the major aspirational interests of each country in the other have gone to dust for the foreseeable future.

What next for the Kurds in Syria?

Jan 22, 2019

Egemen Bezci looks at the current predicament facing the Kurdish population in Syria.

Q+A: How influential is the presidency of the United States?

Jan 17, 2019

How much does the U.S. presidency matter for the direction of the United States, and for the rest of the world? Maria Armoudian speaks with William F. Grover and Joseph G. Peschek about the power of the U.S. presidency and what they term the “unsustainable presidency.”

What do changes in Congress mean for the ongoing policy battles in the US? 🔊

Jan 14, 2019

With the historic changes in the American House of Representatives, what can we expect from the Congress and President in the ongoing policy and investigative battles? How will the power struggles play out? Will the Supreme Court weigh in and if so how?

How will climate change impact Aotearoa? ▶

Dec 20, 2018

How will climate change affect our natural world, our society, and our culture? And what can we do to halt the looming catastrophe? A panel of experts discuss how climate change will impact New Zealand.

Q+A: How do fear, anger, and resentment lead to conflict?

Dec 20, 2018

How much do emotions impact or even dictate political outcomes like ethnic violence, wars, or even genocides? That is a key question posed by international relations theorists, political scientists, psychologists, and communications scholars

Does denying trans identity impact mental health?

Dec 19, 2018

Denying transgender identity has a serious impact on mental health according to Bethany Grace Howe.

Why are radical environmentalists being persecuted?

Dec 17, 2018

Radical environmentalists are fighting climate change so why are they being persecuted?

Who are the Gilets jaunes?

Dec 13, 2018

For the past four weeks, the Gilets jaunes protests have dominated the French socio-political landscape and monopolised the media. But who are they exactly?

Is it time for a law change on cannabis use in New Zealand?

Dec 13, 2018

A medicinal cannabis bill has just past its third reading in the New Zealand parliament. But is it time to also look at recreational use in the country?

Q+A: How does our unconscious mind alter political outcomes?

Dec 11, 2018

Scientists are finding more and more evidence that human behaviour is not rational, not conscious, and maybe completely programmed without our rational thinking. How does the unconscious mind and biological predispositions effect political outcomes and prejudice biases?

What are the implications of the US-China trade war? 🔊

Dec 10, 2018

In 2018, the United States and China have been embroiled in a trade war with each country continuing to raise tariffs placed on goods traded between the two nations. But what exactly are Donald Trump’s tariff policies and what will be their effects?