Category Archives: Democracy

We’re giving people Australia Day honours for doing their jobs

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Nicholas Gruen

The column below generated more engagement than any column I’ve written before – in Australia at least. Thanks to Peter Martin for chasing me up on writing the piece and suggesting major improvements to it. The research was done months … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Democracy, History, Inequality, Society | 4 Comments

The logic of the inevitable (nuclear) apocalypse. Can the Gods save us?

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Paul Frijters

The probability of a massive nuclear war the next 10 years between any of the 8 current nuclear powers (US, UK, France, Russia, India, Pakistan, NK, Israel) seems low. The bluster of the leaders is supposed to make the threat … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Troppo's Love Gods, Chess, Climate Change, Cultural Critique, Dance, Death and taxes, Democracy, Education, Environment, Ethics, Geeky Musings, Health, History, Humour, IT and Internet, Life, Literature, Philosophy, Politics - international, Politics - national, Religion, Science, Social, Society, Space, Terror | 26 Comments

To overcome commonsense, and at the same time, to be wrong

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Nicholas Gruen

As Orwell put it “there are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual could believe them.” At least in economics one of the things that sets up intellectuals for this is the way so much of their discipline seeks to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Democracy, Economics and public policy, Environment, History, Humour | 14 Comments

The Future of Politics: by John Burnheim

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Nicholas Gruen

Politics is about constructing those public goods that are necessary for communities, are a minimum to deal with problems that threaten life itself. In our present situation, the most serious problems are all posed on a global scale, as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Philosophy, Political theory, Sortition and citizens’ juries | 1 Comment

Citizens’ chambers: towards an activism of selection by lot

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Nicholas Gruen

In a recent paper, James Fishkin identifies some potential shortcomings of citizen’s chambers which justify his own preference for ad hoc, and temporary citizens’ panels. I think he makes some good points. I think his arguments need further exploration which I … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Sortition and citizens’ juries | 3 Comments

Arise Nicholas Gruen: Economic Rockstar

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Nicholas Gruen

Yes, it is a little over the top isn’t it? Anyway, here’s Frank’s interview with me last Friday night.

Posted in Democracy, Economics and public policy | 1 Comment

Authoritarianism: GUEST POST by John Burnheim

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Nicholas Gruen

Arguing with an American ex-Australian now resident in Canada, I contested his view that, of the three countries, America is the least and Australia the most, authoritarian. In part it was a verbal difference. I was taking “authoritarian” in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Critique, Democracy, Philosophy, Political theory, Politics - international | 25 Comments