The Democracy Nobody Wants to Discuss
Israel goes to the polls again. Mahmoud Abbas remains in office after nearly 22 years without facing voters. Yet it is Israel’s democratic credentials that dominate the international conversation.
Elections
How to Fix the Overhang Problem
The mixed part of MMP is the problem. Make our electoral system proportionately pure.
The Future of the Centre Right
The lesson from CPAC Australia is that voters notice when parties drift from the values that originally earned their support. Whether New Zealand’s major parties recognise that lesson before the next election remains to be seen.
I Wrote This in 2008 and Wouldn’t Change a Word
I wrote this column about MMP 18 years ago and wouldn’t change a word. Some of the references are dated (United Future, the Tight Five, Alamein Koopu) but the system remains as flawed now as it was then.
Legacy Media and Politicians Don’t Get It
There seems to be an almost obtuse wilful blindness amongst Western elites in politics and legacy media to see the real reasons that insurgent ‘populist’ parties are beating them in elections, says Professor James Allan.
A Huge Election Win for AFD Rattles the Establishment
Self-proclaimed defenders of democracy are hell-bent on thwarting the will of the voters.
Te Pāti Māori Just Made Our Argument for Us
Hobson’s Pledge has been calling for a binding referendum on the future of the Māori seats. It is high time politicians stopped deciding this question for us and put it directly to the people.
Party Politics and Dynamite Fishing
Party politics increasingly treats voters like fish to be stunned before election day. But when campaigns win by blasting the civic lake, communities are left to live in the damaged water.
You Have 90 Seconds to Impact
A pilot who freezes is not a pilot. He is a passenger with a better view.
This Racist Relic Must Go
New Zealand was founded on the liberal promise of equal citizenship under one law for all. The Māori seats mock that promise. Abolish them.
Can Money Be Removed From Politics?
Full public funding of election expenses is a bold attempt to reshape democratic practice.
Explaining the Appeal With Polling
There is a lot to learn from Mamdani, even though he is a dangerous Marxist.
Connolly’s Triumph and Ireland’s Tantrum
Record 13 per cent spoiled votes signal ‘electoral revolt’.
