Thank you gentlemen, a serious, grown up discussion without a single raised voice, was refreshing. As a UK resident under a incompetent, divisive government whose foreign policy is confused and whose domestic policies are actually hurting our economy and population, with added fawning on Trump, and belligerent policies in Ukraine and the Middle East. I'm, like many of my countrymen, can't wait for this hated government to go. I'm sick of being tied to the fictitious "special relationship". I loved Pascal's analysis of the EU, and was impressed with his rejection of military solutions and emphasis on deplomacy.
Warwick, as usual brought his intensely deep thought to the discussion, and I was so interested in the Chinese diaspora in Australia. I learnt a lot from Jeff's contribution on the Australian election. I'm so glad that people like you three exist in the world, uncompromising in ethical thought and determination to reveal the truth behind a muddled and frightening world.
“What does the degraded ethos of the sub-elite of the union movement and Labor Party careerists mean for the capacity to govern among this elite”
The degradation of the political elite in Australia can be traced back to Howard. In particular his playing of the race card. For the rest, I agree pretty much totally. The problem though is not limited to overseas observers but is something I have heard frequently in recent days. The implication being that Australia has achieved some sort of moral superiority by rejecting the moronic populism that led to Brexit and Trump. My father, given to blunt vulgarities in the presence of such stupidities, would have replied “In a pig’s arse!” My response is to smile weakly in their general direction and to change the subject. The usual point about arguing with fools being relevant. “ They drag you down to their level and best you with experience.”
Thank you @jeffrich for the detailed review of Australian electoral system and politics, I learned a lot. Regarding the election' and US centric misreading of it, you nailed it. Although here in Canada the election was much more influenced by the tarrif war and threats of annexation. (Which are not a first in Ottawa-Washington relationship). In our case the Trump factor was visible: indigenous nations and media had to assess the impacts of a possible invasion/annexation on indigenous treaties and sovereignty.
Thus the distinct liberal or NDPnvoting in (mostly) indigenous northern territories versus the southern populated centers.
A lot of fellow quebecers symbolically voted liberal (for the first time in their lives) as a demonstrative act of solidarity toward the ROC (Rest of Canada). But the ROC, particularly the Prarie and the West voted massively for a canadian Conservative party dramatically "americanized" under Stephen Harper and now Poilievre.
So I guess that a culturally and socially distinct Quebec will and should use federal politics as a tool to safeguard its place in a WASP subcontinent. Meanwhile english-speaking conservative Alberta (oil based province) sends threats of secession and english-speaking conservative Ontario (industrial powerhouse alongside Quebec) leadership responds loudly in defence of federal unity.
Noam Chomsky’s The Corporation introduced the idea of ‘Predatory Privatization’
As an Ontario educator, I have been living with the US element of predatory privatization since the 1999 Ontario Conservative Harris government imported the ‘Common Sense Revolution” from New Jersey. School principals became site managers, business degrees were welcomed/preferred in education administrations- replacing principal teachers. At the time Australian education was said to be at least 5 years ahead of Ontario’s system and 10 years ahead of USA’s. However, I recall the Australian education system, like Ontario’s, fell prey to a similar attack/setback.
Besides the 🇨🇦natural resources (including water) the US wants cheaply, provincial governments have dallied with selling out/privatizing our public services and infrastructure.
If we focus on ‘corporate privatizing’ rather than on distracting and sometimes destructive political rhetoric or theatre
(For example- theatre on the part of premier Buck-a-beer⛑ Ford, or Pierre Puppet’s /Parrot’s /Poilievre’s Braking 🛑⛔️Parliamentary Processes and Protocols)
we can see that our democracy, media, public goods like libraries, health care, unions(collective bargaining) have been shifting into US modes through predatory stealth. Business, careerism, and gig-onomics have displaced and replaced professionalism and functional (as opposed to dysfunctionally digitized ) institutions.
This is true. I worked in government in Australia from 1990, during the high tide of privatisation. There was a conscious effort to make a market society. The 1999 education reforms you describe had been applied here since 1992, influenced by both British models (Thatcher) and US models. I wonder if there is going to be a bit of a turning of the tide again now the US-market society model looks so shabby.
I have been looking at future education trajectories and the use/integration of computers.
USA
-Kenneth J. Saltman - primary and secondary school
(2 tiers - 1. rich Ivy League bound students 2. the rest, including student pipeline to jail, hurricane Katrina refugees/ students used to create large language learning models on computers, students as data for tech companies)
-Michelle R. Weise - college training for employers’ requirements. “Long Life Learning” business model for colleges extends to a network of support services to hold the students’ hands/homes/babysitters for students to qualify or Re-qualify according to local industries needs. Taxpayers picking up bill for corporations.
Australia
-John Hartley
Open Knowledge Institutions - University online, research networks
Thank you gentlemen, a serious, grown up discussion without a single raised voice, was refreshing. As a UK resident under a incompetent, divisive government whose foreign policy is confused and whose domestic policies are actually hurting our economy and population, with added fawning on Trump, and belligerent policies in Ukraine and the Middle East. I'm, like many of my countrymen, can't wait for this hated government to go. I'm sick of being tied to the fictitious "special relationship". I loved Pascal's analysis of the EU, and was impressed with his rejection of military solutions and emphasis on deplomacy.
Warwick, as usual brought his intensely deep thought to the discussion, and I was so interested in the Chinese diaspora in Australia. I learnt a lot from Jeff's contribution on the Australian election. I'm so glad that people like you three exist in the world, uncompromising in ethical thought and determination to reveal the truth behind a muddled and frightening world.
Thanks Clare. You have my sympathies. Britain looks in a bad state right now.
“What does the degraded ethos of the sub-elite of the union movement and Labor Party careerists mean for the capacity to govern among this elite”
The degradation of the political elite in Australia can be traced back to Howard. In particular his playing of the race card. For the rest, I agree pretty much totally. The problem though is not limited to overseas observers but is something I have heard frequently in recent days. The implication being that Australia has achieved some sort of moral superiority by rejecting the moronic populism that led to Brexit and Trump. My father, given to blunt vulgarities in the presence of such stupidities, would have replied “In a pig’s arse!” My response is to smile weakly in their general direction and to change the subject. The usual point about arguing with fools being relevant. “ They drag you down to their level and best you with experience.”
I'm very relieved that the Australian electorate rejected Dutton.
However, I'm worried about Albinese's submission to the US.
Tthis Sydney Criminal Lawyers piece adds to the debate and lays out the problems and dangers very well.
https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/the-return-of-albanese-in-majority-signals-further-relinquishing-control-to-the-us/
😂Chuckle of the day, “They..., “and forgot which country was voting this time”😂 Loving your rhythm an humour.
Thank you @jeffrich for the detailed review of Australian electoral system and politics, I learned a lot. Regarding the election' and US centric misreading of it, you nailed it. Although here in Canada the election was much more influenced by the tarrif war and threats of annexation. (Which are not a first in Ottawa-Washington relationship). In our case the Trump factor was visible: indigenous nations and media had to assess the impacts of a possible invasion/annexation on indigenous treaties and sovereignty.
Thus the distinct liberal or NDPnvoting in (mostly) indigenous northern territories versus the southern populated centers.
A lot of fellow quebecers symbolically voted liberal (for the first time in their lives) as a demonstrative act of solidarity toward the ROC (Rest of Canada). But the ROC, particularly the Prarie and the West voted massively for a canadian Conservative party dramatically "americanized" under Stephen Harper and now Poilievre.
So I guess that a culturally and socially distinct Quebec will and should use federal politics as a tool to safeguard its place in a WASP subcontinent. Meanwhile english-speaking conservative Alberta (oil based province) sends threats of secession and english-speaking conservative Ontario (industrial powerhouse alongside Quebec) leadership responds loudly in defence of federal unity.
I envy the luxury of Australian geography...
Karim,
I will add to your 🇨🇦 snapshot.
Noam Chomsky’s The Corporation introduced the idea of ‘Predatory Privatization’
As an Ontario educator, I have been living with the US element of predatory privatization since the 1999 Ontario Conservative Harris government imported the ‘Common Sense Revolution” from New Jersey. School principals became site managers, business degrees were welcomed/preferred in education administrations- replacing principal teachers. At the time Australian education was said to be at least 5 years ahead of Ontario’s system and 10 years ahead of USA’s. However, I recall the Australian education system, like Ontario’s, fell prey to a similar attack/setback.
Besides the 🇨🇦natural resources (including water) the US wants cheaply, provincial governments have dallied with selling out/privatizing our public services and infrastructure.
If we focus on ‘corporate privatizing’ rather than on distracting and sometimes destructive political rhetoric or theatre
(For example- theatre on the part of premier Buck-a-beer⛑ Ford, or Pierre Puppet’s /Parrot’s /Poilievre’s Braking 🛑⛔️Parliamentary Processes and Protocols)
we can see that our democracy, media, public goods like libraries, health care, unions(collective bargaining) have been shifting into US modes through predatory stealth. Business, careerism, and gig-onomics have displaced and replaced professionalism and functional (as opposed to dysfunctionally digitized ) institutions.
This is true. I worked in government in Australia from 1990, during the high tide of privatisation. There was a conscious effort to make a market society. The 1999 education reforms you describe had been applied here since 1992, influenced by both British models (Thatcher) and US models. I wonder if there is going to be a bit of a turning of the tide again now the US-market society model looks so shabby.
I have been looking at future education trajectories and the use/integration of computers.
USA
-Kenneth J. Saltman - primary and secondary school
(2 tiers - 1. rich Ivy League bound students 2. the rest, including student pipeline to jail, hurricane Katrina refugees/ students used to create large language learning models on computers, students as data for tech companies)
-Michelle R. Weise - college training for employers’ requirements. “Long Life Learning” business model for colleges extends to a network of support services to hold the students’ hands/homes/babysitters for students to qualify or Re-qualify according to local industries needs. Taxpayers picking up bill for corporations.
Australia
-John Hartley
Open Knowledge Institutions - University online, research networks