Bryan Bruce talks with former BERL Research Director and Chair of the now disestablished Productivity Commission about the direction of the NZ Economy.
Thanks for this Ganesh and Bryan. You have started the conversation about what kind of a society do we want. You hinted we want a better society than today as our legacy for the next generation. To get the ball rolling can I suggest as the starting point, it would be one where a basic standard of living, healthcare, education and shelter are human rights. People are at the centre, not the free market or the needs of business. As Ganesh suggests, if society set the goals, economists can help work out the best/most efficient ways to achieve them.
Our policies for the support of children would be a good place to start.
Its a big step to shift the goal posts in society from the position they are now where in neoliberalism (Thatcher quote) there is no such thing as society, to a position where the economy serves all members of society. I often feel the maori bashing from the right, apart from Te Tiriti standing in the way of a last ditch effort to rape and pillage, but also envy that maori have been able to maintain their own caring/sharing society through this neoliberal experiment, where pakeha have succumbed to individual greed and selfishness. This became evident to me during cyclone Gabrielle, where maori communities are set up to care and cater for their people in isolation and were kind enough to also look after greedy individuals
Thanks for this Ganesh and Bryan. You have started the conversation about what kind of a society do we want. You hinted we want a better society than today as our legacy for the next generation. To get the ball rolling can I suggest as the starting point, it would be one where a basic standard of living, healthcare, education and shelter are human rights. People are at the centre, not the free market or the needs of business. As Ganesh suggests, if society set the goals, economists can help work out the best/most efficient ways to achieve them.
Our policies for the support of children would be a good place to start.
He, Shamabeel and Craig Rennie are the best!
Agreed 👍 Plus I'd add Max Rushbrooke and Bernard Hickey to the list.
Really enjoyed that interview nothing is going to happen till we change our government unfortunately.
Looking forward to it!
So good! Kā mihi
Its a big step to shift the goal posts in society from the position they are now where in neoliberalism (Thatcher quote) there is no such thing as society, to a position where the economy serves all members of society. I often feel the maori bashing from the right, apart from Te Tiriti standing in the way of a last ditch effort to rape and pillage, but also envy that maori have been able to maintain their own caring/sharing society through this neoliberal experiment, where pakeha have succumbed to individual greed and selfishness. This became evident to me during cyclone Gabrielle, where maori communities are set up to care and cater for their people in isolation and were kind enough to also look after greedy individuals
Thanks Bryan, excellent interview - we have so much to think about and do😬🙏🏽👍
Thoroughly enjoyed this discussion and intellectual arguments.