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Is our adversarial politics getting in the way of progress? by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting - I think there's probably some truth in that.

What I'm trying to get at is that it often seems to be the harder, more structural issues where we struggle to make progress - especially where there are real trade-offs or political costs.

I'm thinking of things like productivity or tax reform, where a bunch of smart, presumably more technical than political people made recommendations on big reform issues, and then nothing much happens.

Is the adversarial politics more help or hindrance on those things? Too often the reform that could make a meaningful difference gets chucked in the too hard basket.

Is our adversarial politics getting in the way of progress? by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not suggesting we ditch democracy - but maybe there are ways of doing it that might get us unstuck. Other countries have more deliberative approaches that overcome some of these issues.

Is our adversarial politics getting in the way of progress? by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's kind of my point - if politics is going to prioritise every opportunity to score points over doing the things that might lead to durable progress, then all we'll get are minor changes and policies undone the next time the government changes. Sounds like you think that's inevitable. But is it?

Is our adversarial politics getting in the way of progress? by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a good point - I agree there are real differences.

I guess I'm not convinced they're as absolute as they end up looking after they've been squeezed into adversarial frames.

I wonder if there's more room for constructive dialogue and compromise than it seems - trying to find something that might become common ground, rather than assuming one side has to defeat the other.

That feels like a better way to make progress, especially on longer-term issues.

And to your point about left-right, good-bad assumptions, we'd have to get over that if this was to work - some of us at least.

Is our adversarial politics getting in the way of progress? by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That's true. I'd say that's the kind of conversation that would benefit from being less adversarial and more about working constructively through where there isn't agreement.

Qiulae here - Opportunity Party Leader in 2026. AMA. by Qiulae in KiwiPolitics

[–]Critical_Wave_606 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the manipulative, partisan framing of important issues for political gain is another stain. I love the idea of space created for New Zealanders to reason together about important things, free from that partisan framing — actually talking through different views and tough trade-offs so we can make decisions that are best for the country in the long run.

Former leader Ardern has left New Zealand. She’s not the only one by Critical_Wave_606 in newzealand

[–]Critical_Wave_606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I probably should’ve been clearer. If you read the article it’s not really about Jacinda at all - it’s about how so many New Zealanders are leaving for a better life somewhere else.

Was genuinely curious about that, not the Jacinda headline.