Unfortunately the general public don’t want to read long and complex articles, especially about politics.
I include myself here. The only reason I read them is because I’m alarmed at what the government is trying to do in NZ.
My partner always asks “Why am I reading that crap. Nothing will change.” I tell him, if he doesn’t care, he should. And so should the rest of the disengaged.
Basically I think it needs to be brief, and dumbed down, or else people’s eyes glaze over.
I think you’re on the right track doing it this way. I hope you reach the audience who NEEDS to become aware, before it is entrenched and is difficult to reverse. Kind of like what Trump voters are starting to realize…
I agree with your general thrust though think you are missing a key feature which is NeoLib’s drive to make “Capitalist Behaviours” and the profit motive accessible and a ‘worthwhile endeavour’ for all citizens. The idea is to install the message that “if maximising profit is good for me how can it be bad when Global Corporations maximise profits at scale?”
Flicking houses with no capital gains tax is the most obvious manifestation of citizen capitalism in NZ. Personal superannuation via KiwiSaver and tools like Sharsies also play their part. It’s all one almighty multi-level cult.
You are correct! That’s the ideological/moralistic stuff I was referring to. It’s all part of the corporate agenda to normalize selfishness and make the public okay with their own exploitation. I hope to cover this in future posts.
From ‘The Invisible Doctrine - The Secret History of Neoliberalism” (Monbiot & Hutchinson, 2024):
To recap, neoliberalism’s network of influence operates as follows:
- Oligrachs often covertly use dark money to fund think tanks and academic departments
- These institutions, in turn, make the unreasonable demands of the oligarchs seem reasonable and normal
- The press (also largely controlled by the oligarchs) presents these policy proposals as critical and important insights by independant organizations, creating the impression that people in different places are spontaneously coming to the same conclusions on the basis of sound, disinterested research
- Politicians who are paid by, or sympathetic to, the oligarchs and corperations cite the press coverage as public demand
- The voice of the oligarchs is interpreted as the voice of the people
It’s imho a short good book using highly effective prose to make its arguments without much meandering. 5/5 stars.
👍👏🫂 Thank you Ryan's Dad 👏👏👏 Basically I work from the "results" end - if it doesn't HELP the majority of ordinary people and/or it HARMS the environment, minorities, ordinary citizens now & in the future, then I don't support it. But understanding WHY these people are trying to impose harmful & baffling policies on us is very useful 👍 Thinking of my evolving submission AGAINST the Regulatory Standards Bill, where there might be an argument to show how it could be HARMFUL to neoliberalism outcomes ⁉️🤔🤷
Nice piece, thanks Ryan. Especially appreciated your explanation of the difference between neoliberalism, laissez faire and libertarianism.
In terms of reaching a broader public on things like the real motives behind Act’s policies, I found Mihingarangi Forbe’s documentary ‘Trick or Treaty’ really eye-opening and informative (and accessible) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS0RBMspGk
Footnote 3 perhaps. Turning laws designed to protect society from Nastys into self serving shields and even weapons. For example the Tenancy Tribunal is now a landlord/REINZ weapon. Information legislation is now used as a shield to hide behind.
Great point. Hijacking these tribunals and boards to further corporate interests instead of their original purposes. Either that or just eliminating them or defunding them.
Thanks for your efforts to explain neoliberalism. Pity that this editing format doesnt allow me to read your article, and the posts, while I am writing this. And for a practical example, where does tobacco and neoliberalism intersect? I cant read what you said about tobacco, but dont the consumers have rights to consume tobacco ? Sugar is bad too, but nobody is trying to ban sugar. Talking about specific issues may help to clarify your explanations. So would you like to see tobacco banned because it is too neoliberal ? What would be your ideal outcome ?
Your father is a wise man!!
Unfortunately the general public don’t want to read long and complex articles, especially about politics.
I include myself here. The only reason I read them is because I’m alarmed at what the government is trying to do in NZ.
My partner always asks “Why am I reading that crap. Nothing will change.” I tell him, if he doesn’t care, he should. And so should the rest of the disengaged.
Basically I think it needs to be brief, and dumbed down, or else people’s eyes glaze over.
I think you’re on the right track doing it this way. I hope you reach the audience who NEEDS to become aware, before it is entrenched and is difficult to reverse. Kind of like what Trump voters are starting to realize…
Great explanation, it was very focused on the key drivers,thank you.
I agree with your general thrust though think you are missing a key feature which is NeoLib’s drive to make “Capitalist Behaviours” and the profit motive accessible and a ‘worthwhile endeavour’ for all citizens. The idea is to install the message that “if maximising profit is good for me how can it be bad when Global Corporations maximise profits at scale?”
Flicking houses with no capital gains tax is the most obvious manifestation of citizen capitalism in NZ. Personal superannuation via KiwiSaver and tools like Sharsies also play their part. It’s all one almighty multi-level cult.
You are correct! That’s the ideological/moralistic stuff I was referring to. It’s all part of the corporate agenda to normalize selfishness and make the public okay with their own exploitation. I hope to cover this in future posts.
Have edited to include a brief mention of this
From ‘The Invisible Doctrine - The Secret History of Neoliberalism” (Monbiot & Hutchinson, 2024):
To recap, neoliberalism’s network of influence operates as follows:
- Oligrachs often covertly use dark money to fund think tanks and academic departments
- These institutions, in turn, make the unreasonable demands of the oligarchs seem reasonable and normal
- The press (also largely controlled by the oligarchs) presents these policy proposals as critical and important insights by independant organizations, creating the impression that people in different places are spontaneously coming to the same conclusions on the basis of sound, disinterested research
- Politicians who are paid by, or sympathetic to, the oligarchs and corperations cite the press coverage as public demand
- The voice of the oligarchs is interpreted as the voice of the people
It’s imho a short good book using highly effective prose to make its arguments without much meandering. 5/5 stars.
I read that book last year. I loved it!
👍👏🫂 Thank you Ryan's Dad 👏👏👏 Basically I work from the "results" end - if it doesn't HELP the majority of ordinary people and/or it HARMS the environment, minorities, ordinary citizens now & in the future, then I don't support it. But understanding WHY these people are trying to impose harmful & baffling policies on us is very useful 👍 Thinking of my evolving submission AGAINST the Regulatory Standards Bill, where there might be an argument to show how it could be HARMFUL to neoliberalism outcomes ⁉️🤔🤷
Thank you so much for this clarity and simple words. I knew something was wrong but couldn’t convey it well, this is enormously helpful
So glad you found it useful.
Kia ora, thank you, this is a brilliant analysis and explanation, which I will share with my whānau and students
I’m so glad you found it useful. I was hoping it would be something that was accessible enough that people felt they could share widely.
That’s a very succinct summary. I’m looking forward to your further analysis.
We are indeed in strange days when I find myself agreeing with “the enemy”, but here we are. Oh the irony.
Nice piece, thanks Ryan. Especially appreciated your explanation of the difference between neoliberalism, laissez faire and libertarianism.
In terms of reaching a broader public on things like the real motives behind Act’s policies, I found Mihingarangi Forbe’s documentary ‘Trick or Treaty’ really eye-opening and informative (and accessible) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDS0RBMspGk
Thanks. I haven’t seen that one but loved her interview with Seymour.
Oh, please watch it - and tell all your friends to! It is 25 minutes of your life you will not regret!
Footnote 3 perhaps. Turning laws designed to protect society from Nastys into self serving shields and even weapons. For example the Tenancy Tribunal is now a landlord/REINZ weapon. Information legislation is now used as a shield to hide behind.
Great point. Hijacking these tribunals and boards to further corporate interests instead of their original purposes. Either that or just eliminating them or defunding them.
Or in 2-3 words: late-stage capitalism.
Thanks for your efforts to explain neoliberalism. Pity that this editing format doesnt allow me to read your article, and the posts, while I am writing this. And for a practical example, where does tobacco and neoliberalism intersect? I cant read what you said about tobacco, but dont the consumers have rights to consume tobacco ? Sugar is bad too, but nobody is trying to ban sugar. Talking about specific issues may help to clarify your explanations. So would you like to see tobacco banned because it is too neoliberal ? What would be your ideal outcome ?