Weekly roundup Saturday 23 November
A hectic fortnight
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Australia’s energy transition
Looking on the bright side of Trump’s policies. The Liberal Party uses sloppy arithmetic to discredit renewable energy. Concern with nuclear safety distracts from the overriding problem – it’s too bloody expensive. Strong growth of renewables in generating electricity. Why the rules of the National Electricity Market need re-writing.
Other economics
Qantas and Virgin provide a case study in first-year economics. A practical idea on currency – a surcharge for cash.
Politics of the centre
Electoral “reforms” designed by the two-party oligopoly are intended to keep independents, not big money, out of Parliament. Selling political centrism. Social cohesion isn‘t collapsing but it’s fraying a little.
Gender
The gender pay gap is closing a little faster, in part because of government policy. The misogynistic, violent and anti-social manosphere. More research on the causes of gendered violence. Our gendered parliaments.
Other politics
Labor’s path to majority government. Weird political stuff in a quiet Adelaide suburb. More normal political stuff in Germany. No one knows much about kids and social media but the government is going ahead with a ban anyway.
Public ideas
Looking for Australia.
Looking for America
If you have comments, corrections, or links to other relevant sources, I’d like to hear from you. Please send them to Ian McAuley — ian, at the domain name ianmcauley.com
