Politics & Society
Q+A: Scars of the past: What is historical memory and how does it change?
How important is historical memory in politics? What can we learn about how our memories of the past are manipulated to change current and future politics? What can we learn from memory entrepreneurs in places like the former Yugoslavia? How did they try to change understandings about the past to influence the future?
Q+A: What does a Trumpian foreign policy look like?
On September 10, 2019, Donald Trump fired his national security advisor John Bolton, significantly changing the dynamic within the Trump Administration’s foreign policy team. So, what does the future of American foreign policy look like under the current president? Doug Becker speaks with Jeffrey Fields, Robert Williams, Peter F. Trumbore, and Nicholas Rostow.
Turkey’s offensive: A ceasefire, or a bid for old territory?
Dr. Jiyar Aghapouri explores Turkey’s moves into Northern Syria.
Who is to blame for the crisis of voter decline in local elections? 🔊
New Zealand’s local elections took place over the weekend with the average turnout nationally falling below fifty percent.
Why do we need journalism?
Journalism is facing a profound financial crisis. Around the world, news outlets are closing, and journalists are losing their jobs. Should we be worried?
History Masterclass: How can we understand American populism? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Paul Taillon explores American populism through history and how we can understand it in terms of today’s politics.
History Masterclass: Who was New Zealand’s first populist government? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Linda Bryder talks about New Zealand’s first populist government, the Liberal Government which served from 1891 to 1912. To date, it is the longest-serving government in New Zealand history.
Canada votes: Is change on the way? 🔊
Canada’s federal election is taking place on October 21. Justin Wong spoke with Daniel Béland about the election and whether Trudeau can be re-elected.
How bad is the discrimination against trans and non-binary people? 🔊
This week, a report on the health of trans and non-binary New Zealanders revealed some alarming statistics into psychological distress, discrimination and ongoing barriers to health services. The report titled Counting Ourselves is a comprehensive study into the barriers faced by trans and non-binary people and calls for various improvements to laws, policies and the provision of clearer pathways to gender-affirming healthcare.
‘Most students don’t share my views’: Why is talking about politics so difficult?
Why is talking about politics so difficult? Sylvia Nissen shares an extract from her new book “Student Political Action in New Zealand.”
Why is housing so unaffordable?
New Zealand is the second most overvalued housing market in the world, with Auckland its most unaffordable city, writes Dr. Michael Rehm.
Q+A: To give or not to give? The problem of political party donations
Scrutiny surrounding foreign political donations have flared again after revelations that the New Zealand National party received $150,000 as a gift from Chinese Billionaire Lang Lin.
Q+A: Why does the government remove Māori babies from their family?
In recent months, Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) has faced widespread criticism for its often-traumatising practice of ‘uplifts’, whereby newborn babies are taken from their mothers into state care. What has been causing the recent spike in uplifts?
Q+A: What is going on in Hong Kong?
The movement in Hong Kong is now entering its fourteenth week. So, what are the causes of the protests, and what are the stakes for China and the world?
Q+A: Why do so few people vote in local elections?
Local government elections in New Zealand are fast approaching, but participation in local democracy has been declining for several years. The problem is particularly bad in Auckland where turnout was under forty percent during the last elections in 2016. Lachlan Balfour spoke with Janine Hayward about low turnout in local body elections.
Why isn’t my professor Pasifika or Māori?
The number of Māori and Pasifika students attending New Zealand universities has been increasing steadily, but for many of these students, they will not be taught by Māori or Pasifika throughout their degree.
Q+A: How do we measure far-right violence?
On the heels of mass shootings in New Zealand and the United States, we ask: what are the mindsets, trends, and changes of a globally connected right-wing movement? What are the solutions to the growing animosity between identity groups?
Q+A: What will a post-Brexit Britain look like?
What does the election of Johnson mean for Brexit and a polarized British public? What is the future of the British economy? What will the UK look like in 2024?
How does party affiliation affect local government elections? 🔊
Local government elections are coming up fast, and an increasing number of candidates are becoming affiliated with political parties according to new research.
Q+A: How did America become the home of mass shootings?
Julia Rallo spoke with Patrick Blanchfield about the epidemic of gun violence and asks the question: do mass shootings emerge from free-speech message boards like 8chan, or from American culture itself?