Weekly roundup of links to articles, reports, podcasts and other media on current political and economic issues in public policy.

Politics

Politics has become polarized in the USA, but the right has moved much further from the centre than the left. How New Zealand deals with polarization. Why women are disenchanted with the Liberal Party: have the party elders considered the possibility that women dont like their policies? Poll miscellany: demography is not on the Coalitions side, Anthony Albanese is more popular than Boris Johnson.

Public policy

Interest rates: will the Reserve Bank plunge us into recession because it is obsessed with a couple of arbitrary numbers about inflation and because it doesnt understand how monetary policy works (or how to steer a houseboat)? Economists views on the direction of the economy: theyre pretty much in line with government forecasts. Our coming industrial transformation as we take advantage of our minerals and renewable resources, but we need policies to make it happen. Living with the National Electricity Market: we like net zero but were apprehensive. The pandemic: policymakers suddenly realize its serious.

Public ideas

The quest for something more meaningful than GDP, and whether to seek a single consolidated indicator. Stan Grant on living without God. Snippets from economic gurus Jeffrey Sachs and Kishore Mahbubani, both defenders of global institutions and aspirations.

Links to sources of webinars, podcasts and readings.

The joy of airports

Just occasionally something breaks the drudgery of waiting at an airport.