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2019: the prospects for fairness and openness

Opinion by Max Rashbrooke on February 15, 2019

The 2019 political year is now well and truly up and running. So what progress might we see on two key areas of interest for me, and I think for most New Zealanders as well – economic equality, and more deeply open and participatory government? In brief, I think the current government has better ambitions…

New book published: Government for the Public Good

Opinion by Max Rashbrooke on September 11, 2018

I’m delighted to announce the publication of my new book, Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action. It is available from all good bookstores and online. The culmination of several years’ work, it goes right to the heart of one of the dominant ideas of the last few decades –…

Media’s disclosure of interests under spotlight

Opinion by Max Rashbrooke on March 9, 2018

One fascinating development this week has seen the long-running concerns about undisclosed interests in the media finally burst out into the open. First, it was revealed that a commentator on Radio New Zealand, supposedly an ‘independent’ PR consultant, was actually working in the Prime Minister’s office. Then, even more strikingly, the NBR column of prominent…

Rumblings about transparency

Opinion by Max Rashbrooke on March 9, 2018

For people interested in greater transparency, the last seven days have been filled with little rumbles that could turn into earthquakes. The biggest deal was an announcement by the Green Party over the weekend that its MPs would stop accepting corporate hospitality, and its ministers would soon publish the diaries that detail who they have…

Talks and debates
worth going to

february, 2019

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50 Gloucester St, Christchurch

21feb

Government talk in Christchurch

Event Details

Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action Hear Max Rashbrooke start the year for the Fabian Society Otautahi by discussing his recent [...]

Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action

Hear Max Rashbrooke start the year for the Fabian Society Otautahi by discussing his recent book on the above topic at the WEA, Thursday 21 February 2019, 7-8:30 pm.

The book goes to the heart of one of the dominant ideas of the last few decades – that markets should take over more of the tasks previously done by governments. Casting a broad sweep through the evidence on privatisation, deregulation and other market-based reforms, it shows they have often not delivered. But rather than just criticising the market, the book makes a strong case for government, showing how classic public services have often proved far more effective than we generally think, and outlining a positive vision for how government could work still better – and regain people’s trust – in the twenty-first century. A powerful defence of active government, the book shows how, around the world, forums that allow citizens to intelligently debate issues together and directly shape policy are already delivering better public services and deepening democracy. At a time when ideas and politics are in turmoil, the book offers a new way to navigate our future together.

Max Rashbrooke has twin research interests in economic inequality and open government, and has also worked extensively as a journalist. He edited the best-selling Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis, published in June 2013 by Bridget Williams Books (BWB), and wrote Wealth and New Zealand in November 2015 (also with BWB).He has twice been the recipient of the Bruce Jesson Senior Journalism Award, and was a 2015 Winston Churchill Fellow.

Time

(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location

WEA

50 Gloucester St, Christchurch