Weekly roundup Saturday 1 March
Germany’s election has messages for all democracies
Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.
Australian politics
We might not elect a majority government, but we have clear procedures to deal with that. Why the Trump-Putin axis could interfere in our election supporting the Coalition’s energy policy. Australian voters are slowly moving to the “left” and are becoming more concerned about public policy. When the government appoints a former Liberal minister to head a government authority the Coalition accuses it of “politicization” – go figure that out. There has to be a better solution to juvenile crime than a choice between “lock-em-up” and “let the little dears run free”.
Germany’s election
Not so much a swing to the right as a swing away from established parties, with clear messages for Australian politicians and our political system. Short biographical notes on Friedrich Merz: he’s no Merkel but his government will be centrist and pro-Ukraine.
Economics
Another promising set of figures on inflation. How weaponization of immigration policies holds us back from a serious discussion about population. Dutton offers a simple solution to the difficult problem of unaffordable insurance premiums – a proposition so inappropriate that even the National Party thinks it’s dumb. More on crypto currency – it has its uses but it’s not a vehicle for investment.
Health policy
Labor and Coalition bulk-billing proposals compared – the numbers may look similar but the underlying policies are vastly different. We’ve made the easy moves on road fatalities: how do we make progress from here? Similarly with cigarettes – prices alone may not work. Memories of Covid.
Public ideas
A philosophy professor was asked if AI erodes people’s critical thinking skills and the same question was put to ChatGBT. Francis Fukuyama suggests we consider the possibility that Trump isn’t deranged: maybe he’s clearly focussed and purposeful.
NATO
Soldiers in Latvia.
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
